Client: Waka Kotahi, New Zealand Transport Agency

Contractor: Hawkins Infrastructure

Status: Completed 2015

The Canada Street Cycle Bridge is a spectacular realisation of the NZTA’s vision to provide world-class cycling infrastructure with this cycle bridge built at Central Motorway Junction in central Auckland. This bridge provides a missing link in Auckland’s cycle network and a seamless transition for cyclists between Newton Road (Upper Queen Street) and Nelson Street.

The bridge has a total length of 160m. The bridge curves from its landing on the existing Nelson Street off-ramp, spans over the Southbound lanes of SH1 and subsequently turns to weave its way alongside the Northern shoulder of SH1 to meet the bottom of Canada Street. The complex layout of the bridge was guided primarily by the fact that it must function as a cycle bridge. As a result, due to tight site constraints it has to curve in plan in a number of locations to facilitate a smooth change of direction for cyclists, avoid site obstructions and also avoid encroaching over SH1.

An architecturally striking triangular shape was adopted for the main pier located adjacent to SH1. This pier supports the main span of bridge as it crosses over SH1. A complex vertically tapering pier geometry was adopted in order to exhibit an effortless transition from the bridge’s superstructure to substructure.

The remaining bridge piers located on the North side of SH1 have a rhombic shape at the base. This shape transitions into a “splay” at the top of the pier to cradle the deck overhead.