Viaduct Bascule Bridge repairs

If the 91-year-old Viaduct Bascule Bridge could talk, it would tell you stories of the second world war, successful and unsuccessful America’s Cup campaigns, and of a time when the area was better known for its oil-loading facilities than its food and beverage establishments.

It would also tell you it’s in need of some repairs so it can continue to be a piece of heritage infrastructure for many more years to come.

As part of its long-term maintenance plan, the bridge decking is needing to be completely replaced and the balustrades upgraded.

These works will take place over the winter months from mid-May when it is the least disruptive for traffic flow, marina users and events that take place across the waterfront.

To minimise disruption for anyone that needs to get across the bridge while the works are underway, a second temporary bridge is going to be installed to maintain access for foot traffic and active modes of transport. 

New SeaLink development to start construction

SeaLink has played an important part in the maritime story for Wynyard Quarter. Going on 13 years of operations from this corner of the waterfront, they’re an integral connection between Auckland City and the surrounding Gulf Islands.

To anchor SeaLink in Wynyard Quarter more permanently, an 80-year lease on their current site at 44-56 Hamer Street was signed in July 2022. This long-term leasehold agreement has enabled SeaLink to progress with their plans to build a new terminal and office building on site.

SeaLink has partnered with Architectus to design their new development and the final design has received resource and building consent and is ready to construct.

A blessing of the site was led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei on the morning of 12 April, and construction is soon to start.  SeaLink expect their new development to be complete by July 2024.