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The strut helps support the weight of the bridge, and while the structure won’t collapse, the NZTA says cars shouldn’t travel on the center lanes.
Engineers are now evaluating how to repair or replace the strut, while also checking for damage elsewhere. The cut end of the damaged strut has been temporarily bolted to the bridge.
NZTA Transportation Services General Manager Brett Gliddon said Saturday that a permanent fix could take more than five weeks. Engineers might find a temporary fix this weekend, but there’s no guarantee on that and it may take a week to implement.
Gliddon described the strut as a “fairly large piece of metal.” Because each part of the bridge is unique, he said it is not feasible to have a replacement replacement for each piece.
“It goes from the road level of the bridge to the top of the bridge. It is quite large in diameter so it would be 400 or 500mm square and obviously it is bolted at the bottom with a large steel plate and bolted in. We have 15 to 20 screws holding it in place.
“We haven’t had a bridge structure hit like this before.”
The NZTA says that while motorists may not be able to see repair work being done on the bridge, they can rest assured that the agency is doing everything it can to get the lanes reopened and that much of the work is done off-site.
Two northbound lanes and two southbound lanes on the bridge clips remain open, but traffic was terrible for motorists Saturday.
Those who want to head to the city or north are asked to consider using the Western Ring Road or to work from home if possible. Public transport is also available and Auckland Transport is looking for capacity.
With 170,000 vehicles crossing the bridge each weekday, NZTA says it understands the “economic importance of the Auckland Harbor Bridge in helping to support the movement of people and goods within the region and into the rest of New Zealand.”
Gliddon said the NZTA has been working on a possible second port crossing and that Friday’s incident showed the need for network capacity when events like these occur.
The National Party announced in July that it wanted to see work begin on a second crossing in 2028. It believes it would take the form of a road and rail tunnel under the port.
“As Auckland realizes that the four center lanes of the harbor bridge could be closed for an extended period due to yesterday’s accident, it just shows that Auckland needs National’s plan to build a new second harbor crossing over Waitemata more Sooner rather than later, “said Judith Collins of National.
Transport Minister Phil Twyford from Labor told Newshub that he acknowledges the frustration that the delays have caused motorists and that “there is no question that Auckland will need a second port crossing.” Planning is underway.
“Even if you started tomorrow at a second crossing, it will still take about a decade, so it’s not a quick fix,” he said.
“Planning cannot be rushed as no one wants the port’s first bridge to be repeated where it needed additional capacity by the time it was finished.”
Julie Anne Genter, a transport spokeswoman for the Green Party, said the party has long campaigned for the railroad to Auckland’s north coast, as well as a “comprehensive network of rapid transit through the city.”
“The train to the North Shore will make it easier for people to leave the car at home and move around the city, and it would free up space on the Auckland Harbor Bridge for people and goods that need to travel by road.”
