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This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
It is not yet known how long the Auckland Harbor Bridge will be partially closed to traffic, says NZTA’s senior travel manager.
On Friday, strong gusts of wind forced a truck to cut off a key part of the bridge, and the lane closures have been causing traffic problems ever since.
Nine engineers are evaluating the bridge on Sunday, but it is not yet known when the two center lanes will be able to reopen.
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* Auckland Harbor Bridge accident: four lanes could be closed for weeks
NZTA / Supplied
A strut on the Auckland Harbor Bridge was significantly damaged and came off one end after it was struck by a truck.
Neil Walker, Senior Travel Manager for NZTA, said Sunday morning nothing else will really be known until the end of today, when the engineers can report.
“There are two approaches for them right now. One is what can we do to open it up, to carry some traffic while we get a permanent solution, so that’s the second goal for them actually, they have to do that in parallel.
“We know that the permanent solution will take a while.”
A temporary fix could only contain light traffic, he said.
Walker said the challenge is how the team makes use of the existing 22-meter strut.
“The strut itself is a load-bearing strut, so it needs to be re-tensioned, so it takes a lot of design work.
“If we’re going to have to make a new one … it’s to make sure we have the right material to do it.”
A new strut would also have to be treated as it is exposed to salty air on the bridge.
The network is one that doesn’t handle events like this well, Walker said.
“You can’t get out of there forever and we’re going to have to think smarter about how we deal with and manage demand on the roads, so it’s more use of public transport and that sort of thing, particularly in the hours. peak “.
Abigail Dougherty / Stuff
A trade representative from Auckland says the truck accident highlights the vulnerability of the city’s infrastructure.
Walker says he has been told it was an unexpected red burst, but a review will be conducted on the incident.
Motorists are urged to change their usual travel plans to avoid a significant disruption caused by the closure of four lanes of the bridge.
The buses will still be able to ride on the clips, but delays are expected, Walker said.
A trade representative from Auckland says the truck accident highlights the vulnerability of the city’s infrastructure.
Auckland Business Chamber Chief Executive Michael Barnett said another port crossing has been desperately needed for years and the accident shows that it is time to act.
Barnett said the biggest disruption to commerce and travelers is the last thing the city needs when it is trying to recover from the Covid lockdown.
This story was originally published on RNZ.co.nz and republished with permission.
