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Expect overnight motorway closures and extended local road disruption as the Bremner Road bridge over State Highway 1 is demolished next month.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said two bridges on Bremner Road are being replaced, one over the motorway and one over Ngākōroa Stream, because the existing SH1 overbridge is not wide enough to accommodate future motorway lanes.
The stream bridge and the section of Bremner Road between the two bridges also need to be raised, as their current height and proximity do not meet modern visibility and safety standards.
With the southern end of Victoria Street open, NZTA said it can proceed with demolishing the Bremner Road motorway overbridge.
The new bridge is expected to take up to three years to construct, due to the need for extensive retaining walls on the eastern side of the motorway and the requirement to keep two lanes open in each direction during daytime traffic.
Overnight demolition works
The main demolition will take place overnight on Saturday, February 14, during a 14-hour closure designed to minimise the overall disruption to residents and motorway users.
The work cannot be carried out during the day because a full motorway closure is required, and removing the bridge in small sections over multiple nights would result in significantly longer disruption, NZTA said.
During the closure, the bridge deck and supporting piers will be demolished using four large rock-breakers after the motorway surface below is protected. Concrete and steel will be loaded onto trucks and removed from the site.
The rock-breakers are expected to operate from about 9pm for six to eight hours, which will be the noisiest phase of the works. Excavators fitted with claw attachments will then remove debris.
Night works will also take place in the week leading up to demolition, including moving machinery and materials into the motorway median and removing the asphalt surface from the bridge.
Further night works will be required at a later date to remove the bridge abutments on either side of SH1, with additional notice to be provided closer to the time.
Closures, noise and detours
From Sunday, February 8, the Bremner Road bridge over SH1 will be fully closed to all vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, with detours in place via Firth Street, Great South Road and Victoria Street.
From that date, there will be no access across SH1 at Bremner Road for up to three years.
NZTA said demolition noise and vibration will be significant but will comply with the site-specific Construction Noise and Vibration Management Plan approved by Auckland Council. Nearby residents most affected will be contacted directly.
The motorway will be closed in both directions between the Papakura and Drury interchanges during the demolition, with traffic detoured via Great South Road and Beach Road.
Key dates and works
From Sunday, February 8
- Bremner Road bridge over SH1 fully closed to all vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians
- No access across SH1 at Bremner Road for up to three years
- Detours via Firth Street, Great South Road and Victoria Street
- Night works (Sunday – Thursday) 9pm – 5am
Week leading up to demolition
- Night works to move machinery and materials into motorway median
- Asphalt surface removed from the bridge
Saturday, February 14 – Sunday, February 15
- Full SH1 closure (both directions) between Papakura and Drury interchanges
- Closure period: 7.30pm Saturday to 9.30am Sunday
- Bridge deck and piers demolished overnight
- Loudest work expected between 9pm and 3am
- Detour route: Great South Road and Beach Road
Later date (to be confirmed)
- Removal of bridge abutments on both sides of SH1
- Additional night closures and notice to follow
