Winning bridge design opens up harbour

Bridging the gap: The winning bridge design that Rod James helped to create will transform the way the CBD waterfront looks.

Making an impression: The planned Te Wero Bridge will have two eye-catching spans, which raise to let boats through.

From City Scene, published on 24 August, 2008

Aucklanders are a step closer to getting an innovative opening bridge in the Viaduct Harbour following the announcement of the winning design for Te Wero Bridge.

Auckland City Council has named a consortium made up of Hyder Consulting, Denton Corker Marshall Design and Kenneth Grubb and Associates as the winner of the council's international competition to design an opening bridge for the city's waterfront.

"The winning submission stood out from the others with its high level of design innovation and the unique way the twin leaves lift up and down," says judging panel chairperson Professor John Hunt.

Te Wero Bridge is a key feature in the council's plans to regenerate the CBD waterfront. Connecting downtown Auckland to Jellicoe Street in Wynyard Quarter, the bridge will carry cyclists, pedestrians and public transport (possibly light rail). It will open to let boats in and out of the inner Viaduct Harbour.

The design was approved by the City Development Committee. "This bridge will make it easier for everyone to get around and enjoy the parks, markets, cafes and events in the revitalised Wynyard Quarter. No doubt, it will become part of the character of the CBD waterfront and attract visitors in its own right," says the chairperson of the City Development Committee, Councillor Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

Rod James, spokesperson from the winning team, is thrilled about winning the competition. "We're looking forward to working with the council on the next stage and building an amazing bridge for Auckland,"
he says.

The council will apply for a New Zealand Transport Agency subsidy to help fund the total project cost of the bridge, estimated to be about $51 million.

Te Wero Bridge is one element in the first stage of Auckland's multi-million dollar redevelopment of Wynyard Quarter, which Auckland City Council is undertaking with the Auckland Regional Council and Auckland Regional Holdings.