Wynyard Crossing Bridge maintenance

Following the recent intermittent technical faults experienced from November 2023 – March 2024, a significant programme of preventative maintenance works has begun so that this important waterfront connection can be re-instated as reliably as possible. This means it will need to remain upright and out of operations until late this year (2024).

Initially built as a temporary solution for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the Wynyard Crossing Bridge has, in the past couple of years, increasingly required short-term fixes to continue to operate. Given the budget pressure Auckland Council is under, the significant funding required to replace the bridge entirely is not available. Routine, smaller scale maintenance also won’t be enough to address all the issues and would risk technical faults continuing to disrupt its operation and availability. Therefore, closing the bridge and initiating a thorough maintenance programme is the only option. 

The planned preventative maintenance programme includes a full overhaul of old parts, sand-blasting the bridge, remedying its steelwork and applying new anti-rust coating. We will also conduct thorough trials and assessments to pre-empt and prevent future technical faults, and expect the work to be completed before next summer (late 2024).

Updates will be provided throughout this time, and we will provide more firm timing as work progresses. While work is underway, if we can identify anything that will speed it up, we will look into those options fully as we want to restore the bridge to full operation as soon as we can.

If you wish to receive regular updates, join the email list here.

While the works are carried out, as a legal obligation under the bridge’s resource consent, it will need to remain upright to allow free access to marine traffic. Although the Wynyard Crossing Bridge is closed, Wynyard Quarter continues to be a key destination on the waterfront. With a range of beautiful open spaces such as Silo Park and Amey Daldy Park, and numerous high-quality bars and restaurants on offer, pedestrians are encouraged to take the alternative route around Viaduct Harbour, or to take advantage of the frequent City Link bus that runs every 7 minutes between Wynyard Quarter and the city, from 6am till midnight, seven days a week. The 20 and 75 bus routes also drop people directly in Wynyard Quarter, with the northern express bus services and a variety of others stopping on Fanshawe Street.  

The Wynyard Crossing Bridge is an important and highly used connection on Auckland’s busy waterfront, and we apologise for the inconvenience that these critical maintenance works will cause. Being the only viable option that will mean this key asset can continue to service Aucklanders, thank you for your understanding as we work hard to restore a more reliable, safer and more endurable bridge as soon as possible.

Alternative options for reaching Wynyard Quarter

Wynyard Quarter remains fully open and accessible even though the bridge is closed.

Below is a snapshot of the bus services available. For a full list of travel options (whether you're taking public transport, driving, walking, biking or scooting), visit the Wynyard Quarter website here.

Bus services

- The City Link Bus service runs every 7 minutes from approx. 6:00am to midnight, 7 days a week. It's $1 maximum per ride and free when transferring to or from another bus, train or ferry service using an AT HOP card. Stops include: Wynyard Quarter, Britomart, Queen Street, Auckland Town Hall, Pitt Street, Myers Park and Karangahape Road.

- The 75 service runs every 15 minutes all day, and up to 30 minutes at other times, 7 days a week, connecting Midtown to Wynyard Quarter, and Remuera Road with Auckland City Hospital.

For more public transport information visit AT.govt.nz for the journey planner or download the AT Mobile app. To see bus stop locations tap ‘Live Departures’ and search Wynyard Quarter.

Stakeholder update - 08-04-2024