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Auckland City Council
Media release

15 August 2008

Council announces winning waterfront bridge design

Auckland City Council has selected a dramatic concept as the winner in its international competition to design an outstanding opening bridge on the city’s waterfront.

The judging panel’s chairperson, Professor John Hunt, says that this concept met the brief’s key design and technical objectives with an outstanding opening bridge structure.

“The judging panel agreed that this striking submission stood out from the others in respect of its high level of design innovation and the unique way the twin leaves opened,” says Professor Hunt.

“I’m proud that an example of modern bridge design and engineering will sit on Auckland’s waterfront. I believe people will come to the Viaduct Harbour to see Te Wero bridge in motion,” says the chairperson of the council’s City Development Committee, Councillor Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga.

The winning team comprises members from Hyder Consulting in Wellington, Denton Corker Marshall Design in Melbourne and Kenneth Grubb and Associates in the UK.

The spokesperson from the winning team, Rod James, says that they are thrilled about winning the competition. “We can’t wait to start working with the council on the next stage.”

The winning design was approved by the council’s City Development Committee.

Te Wero bridge will be vital to the future success of the whole regenerated CBD waterfront. It will carry cyclists, pedestrians and passenger transport – and possibly light rail. To maintain existing boat access it must also open and close as quickly and quietly as possible for boats entering the inner Viaduct Harbour.

“This bridge will be a dominant feature of Auckland’s waterfront development for many years to come, both for people on boats coming and going from the inner Viaduct Harbour and for people crossing between downtown Auckland and Wynyard Quarter. It is important that it looks fantastic and meets all our operational expectations,” says Mr Lotu-Iiga

“Now that the winner has been selected, the council knows the scale and complexity of the winning design, the materials to be used and, in particular, the opening mechanism. On this basis, we now have total cost estimate in the region of $51.2m.”

The council will apply for a New Zealand Transport Agency subsidy to help fund the cost.

The council will now negotiate a contract with the winning team to complete the detailed design of the bridge.

The judging panel also selected a swing bridge, designed by a team from Wilkinson Eyre and Beca, as runner up. It commended the team on its elegant structure.

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 together with the Auckland Regional Council and Auckland Regional Holdings.

Visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/waterfront to view the winning and second place designs and find out more about Te Wero Bridge and the wider CBD waterfront.

ENDS

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