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Auckland Harbour Bridge box girder strengthening project

As one of New Zealand’s critical transport links, ongoing maintenance keeps the Auckland Harbour Bridge in good condition for the 165,000 cars that cross it daily. A recent project has seen the box girders, also known as the clip-ons, strengthened to their maximum capacity. Approximately 900 tonnes of steel has been bolted and welded onto the clip-ons to extend the life of the bridge.

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Auckland Harbour Bridge at dusk.

Auckland Harbour Bridge at dusk

Auckland

Project purpose

NZTA is strengthening the Auckland Harbour Bridge box girders (clip-ons) to keep them in good condition and extend their life.

Benefits

  • The ongoing maintenance and monitoring NZTA carries out on the bridge means that the clip-ons are stronger than ever.
  • The daily average number of cars crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge is presently around 165,000, with more than 200,000 vehicle crossings recorded some days.
  • Current improvements to the Auckland Harbour Bridge clip-ons (box girders) will ensure they stay in good condition for the next 30 to 40 years.

Features

  • One of the most strategically important bridges in New Zealand, the Auckland Harbour Bridge is also one of the best maintained bridges in the world.
  • The 50 year old bridge is no stranger to upgrades and facelifts.
  • In the last eight years alone, NZTA has undertaken annual, six and three month inspections together with daily monitoring, painting and other maintenance.
  • The current improvements involves fixing hundreds of tonnes of steel to the inside and outside of the box girders by welding and bolting.
  • Strengthening commenced in August 2008 on the northbound box girder.
  • Initial strengthening was completed in July 2008. Works switched predominantly to the southbound clip-on on 2 August 2009.
  • Strengthening of the southbound clip-on was completed in December 2010 and truck restrictions lifted.