Traditional Māori design and modern engineering skills have combined to make the Alford Street Bridge a striking feature of Auckland’s Waterview Shared Path, which is being built for Auckland Transport as part of the NZ Transport Agency’s Waterview Connection.
One link in Auckland’s growing cycle network
The shared path is a link in Auckland’s growing, city-wide network of cycle and walking facilities. The 90m bridge, which crosses Te Auaunga (Oakley Creek) between Great North Road and the Unitec Campus, is located at the Waterview end of the path. Two 16m piers feature spectacular puhoro designs accentuating the flow and movement of the water in the creek running below.
The concept also extends to the balustrades, which weave along the side of the bridge in imitation of the ripples below. There is also LED lighting in the handrail to illuminate it at night.
“Alford Street Bridge is almost complete and will be a striking addition to Auckland’s walking and cycling network,” says Brett Gliddon, the NZ Transport Agency’s Auckland Highways Manager.
“It will also enhance the local environment as it spans the longest urban stream on the Auckland isthmus.”
“It’s already proving to be a show-stopper with its eye-catching design and colour, drawing plenty of positive attention from local people that pass the area.”
More Māori artwork to grace path
Other Māori artwork will appear at various locations along the shared path including pou whenua (carved wooden land posts) and kōhatu (carved rocks). Finding the tōtara logs for the pou was a challenge and they were eventually sourced from a West Coast swamp. They are being carved by master carvers from several iwi.
