By Mary Afemata of Local Democracy Reporting
At this month’s local board business meeting, Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board approved Auckland Transport’s full closure of the bridge between McKenzie Road and Hall Avenue.
The upgrades will include replacing the bridge, widening the stream, and installment of systems to capture debris in the Te Ararata and Harania catchments.
The board considered two options, full closure for eight months (June 2025 – February 2026), costing $14 million, or partial closure with stop-go traffic for two years, for at least $16 million.
Local board member Te’o Harry Fatu Toleafoa says knowing the reasons for the full closure may ease some disruption woes for the public.
“Essentially, we save a couple of million if we actually go for the full closure. If we build another bridge or go for the partial detour as the second option, it’s going to not only drag out the time but also cost more.”
Māngere Blue-Green Network project manager Leighton Gillespie says partial closure, like the Pukekohe project, was not possible in this scenario.
“Here, we’re limited by major infrastructure, like the main water lines that provide access to the airport.
“On the other side of the river, we’re constrained by private properties, so we didn’t have much room.”
Gillespie says the possibility of keeping the eastbound lane open would lengthen the construction timeline and increase costs, but agrees commuters will be disrupted.
“The funding we have from central government essentially means we have to be finished by June 2026.
“It does have a major impact on the network, particularly for freight, however contact has been made with Auckland Airport and the freight working groups.”
Toleafoa stressed the need for clear public communication, saying the closure will significantly affect commuters, businesses, freight routes, and access to Auckland Airport.
“We’ve essentially got three months to get the word out there that there are going to be significant congestion issues.
“Because if we go for full closure, and if you look at the adjacent streets where all these [vehicles] are going to be diverted to, it’s going to have a significant impact on the residents and also the businesses in and around those respective areas.”
Making Space for Water governance lead Elizabeth Johnson says the closure is necessary for the Te Aranata flood mitigation project, and updates from Auckland Transport will be provided through websites, letters, media, and community meetings.
“We do have some further information available on maps and where the detours would occur.”
The Walmsley Road bridge closure is part of a wider flood resilience effort, which includes embankment removal and pipe bridge installation at Blake Road. Parking restrictions will be in place along Blake Road, Bicknell Road, and Archboyd Avenue from June 2025 to June 2026 to allow safe construction access.
Auckland Transport is expected to confirm its final decision in the coming months.
