Old Māngere Bridge replacement project

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	Upgrading the bridge abutments ‘Abutments’ is the technical name for the area at the ends of a bridge, it is where the structure ends and the deck connects with the ground on either side, marking the bridge’s arrival/ departure points for bridge users. Abutments help support the bridge, but they’re also a community space for people to sit, relax and enjoy the surrounding landscape, and there’s lots of great features including bench seats and bike racks to encourage this. As a perfect place to pause and cool down on hot summer days, there’s also going to be a water fountain installed on the Māngere Bridge side. There is a raingarden featured on both sides of the bridge abutments, to help capture and treat rainwater before it enters the Manukau Harbour. The rain gardens help protect the waterway and were included in the design of the bridge to acknowledge our role as kaitiaki for the environment. In a few months’ time, iwi artworks will also be installed at either end of the bridge, and we look forward to sharing more information on these with the community soon. We’ve integrated salvaged pieces from the Old Māngere Bridge into the landscaping on the Onehunga side to create a link to the past.




	The future of the SH20 underpass Since the Old Māngere Bridge closed in late 2018 and while the new bridge has been under construction, people have been able to cross the Manukau Harbour on foot or wheels using the SH20 underpass. Once the underpass was the only route across the harbour, we made changes to ensure that it was safe for the community. This included removing graffiti, installing monitored CCTV cameras, putting in higher railings along the outer edge for the protection of people travelling on bikes as well as a continuous presence of security guards. With the new bridge opening we have decided to close the underpass in late 2022. There is no funding to continue to provide a high level of service required on the route to keep it open. People traveling through the area will use the new bridge which caters for people walking and cycling. The underpass will not be closed until December but from 1 September there will be no CCTV or security guards monitoring the route.


	Latest photos and updates from site



	The southern entrance to the bridge and the pier have had a facelift -the road is smooth asphalt and the pavements are brand new. The markings along the curbs and paths are fresh, footpaths, and street lighting has been re-instated. People are out and about enjoying the new wider pathways so come down and have a look for yourself.



	The bases of the bridge furtniture are in place but there are still finishing touches to be added. Wood will cover the top of the concrete seats and other features like the fishing rod holders are still to be installed.



	At the southern abutment work is progressing well on the rain garden and a plinth for iwi artworks to feature. There will be two sections of rain gardens which will capture, provide a helping hand to remove pollutants and slow down stormwater flows. The plants will use some water and the rest will evaporate.



	There is an observation deck and landscaping at the northern entrance to the bridge. Some of the salvaged sections of the old bridge are being mounted in a heritage garden so future generations can appreciate what went before. The team are installing the pieces on concrete foundations to keep them securely in place.



	The native plants have all arrived onsite ready to be planted in the gardens at both ends. The biggest features are two pohutakawas that were removed before construction began, to afford access for the new bridge. They have been cared for in a local nursery and have now been returned to site and replanted, along with several new trees, shurbs, ferns, native flax and grasses.



	Wood salvaged from the project was donated to the Māngere Pony club at the start of the month as another sustainability initiative. It's important to recycle materials that cannot be reused and so it was great to find a new home for the timber where it could be put to good use.


	Whakapā mai \| Contact us


	For further information regarding the project please contact our team: Phone: 0508 623 266 (freephone) Email: omb@nzta.govt.nz Web: www.nzta.govt.nz/omb

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