{"id":4554,"date":"2023-07-07T16:22:34","date_gmt":"2023-07-07T04:22:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chongsworship.com\/?p=4554"},"modified":"2023-10-18T15:03:31","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T02:03:31","slug":"a-brief-history-of-the-pakuranga-and-panmure-bridges-1865-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chongsworship.com\/2023\/07\/07\/a-brief-history-of-the-pakuranga-and-panmure-bridges-1865-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"A brief history of the Pakuranga and Panmure bridges (1865-2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Auckland suburb where we live has had its fair share of bridges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before a bridge, the only way to cross the Tamaki River was<\/a> “by a leaky and somewhat unreliable punt which frequently had a broken chain or was holed. Delays of up to an hour could occur when stock were crossing. The average number of daily passengers was 180 people, 53 horses, 23 carts, 100 livestock.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Panmure to Pakuranga bridge, 1865-1918<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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‘Panmure Bridge, Auckland, New Zealand’, 1867. Illustrated London News. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Footprints 04176<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first Panmure bridge was officially called the “Tamaki Bridge”, and was officially opened on 20 October 1865 by Robert Graham, Superintendent of the Auckland Provincial Council. The bridge was 195 metres long and 6 metres wide with kauri decking. The eastern end connected to the western tip of what is now the Pakuranga Road, while the western end connected with the remains of Mokoia P\u0101 (a fortified settlement that was once home to the Maori Ng\u0101ti Paoa people) and what is known today as Bridge Street, Panmure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The First Panmure Bridge, 1900. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1031-P397<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Panmure to Pakuranga bridge from the Panmure side, ca 1905. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections MJ_0800<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A family pose in front of the first Panmure “swing bridge”, 1910s. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1031-P361<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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First Panmure Bridge with horse and carriage, 1915. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Footprints 02006<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A unique feature<\/a> of this first bridge was the inclusion of a 40-foot (23.8 m) span on the eastern end was constructed with iron and designed to rotate 90 degrees to allow boats travelling along the Tamaki River to pass through (hence its nickname of the “Panmure Swing Bridge<\/a>“). The swing span bridge was managed by a toll keeper who lived in a cottage on the Pakuranga side. On the Panmure side, a steep hill (the remains of Mokoia P\u0101) awaited and travellers sometimes needed to get off their horses and push!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The scow Pukapuka<\/em> squeezes through the first Tamaki “swing” bridge in 1911. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19110928-14-06.<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The first Panmure Bridge over the Tamaki River, as seen from the Panmure end in 1914 (two years before the second bridge was completed).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The bridge over the Tamaki River at Panmure, Auckland, showing the toll-keeper’s cottage. 3 July 1912. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections NZG-19120703-0026-01<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The same track is still there today (1 Lagoon Drive, Pakuranga<\/a>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With the introduction of motorised vehicles at the turn of the 20th century, plans were drawn up for a bigger, taller Tamaki River crossing. By 1918,<\/a> the first Panmure bridge had been demolished. While the original Tamaki crossing is no longer around, for a time a marina shop was built<\/a> over the foundation of the swing bridge mechanism (eventually demolished to make way for the Eastern busway bridge). Today, the remains of the historic swivel bridge mechanism are still visible, having been preserved by Auckland Council<\/a>. As of 2023, additional conservation works and a viewing platform for pedestrians and cyclists are being built over the stone abutment and iron swing span mechanism as part of the AMETI Stage 2a Urban Design and Landscape Plan.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n

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Architect’s sketch of the viewing platform to be built as part of the Conservation Plan for the Panmure Bridge Swing Span and Abutment. Source: Matthews and Matthews Architects<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Second Tamaki \/ Panmure Bridge, 1916-63<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The second Panmure bridge under construction in 1915. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Footprints 01396<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Official opening of the new ferro-cement bridge across the T\u0101maki River between Panmure and Pakuranga, 14 August 1916. Prime Minister W.F. Massey leads the way with a traction engine. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Footprints 01397<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

By the 1900s, the flat river plains of Pakuranga had become known as “the granary of Auckland”, with farmers growing oats, hay and wheat. The second Tamaki bridge was completed approximately 100 yards downriver on 14 August 1916.<\/a> Nicknamed the “Iron Bridge”, it was in reality a ferro-concrete structure using sea water in the concrete, sand from Buckland’s Beach and war-time (poor) quality steel. The bridge connected at Queens Road on the western end and Kerswill Place on the eastern end along the Pakuranga to Howick concrete road (portions of which are still visible today).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aerial photo of Panmure Basin in 1948, with the second “Iron Bridge” visible. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1031-P239<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Aerial photo of the second Panmure bridge in 1948 with the Pakuranga side on the left, and the Panmure side on the right. Remains of the first Panmure bridge’s swing mechanism are visible at the top centre of the photo. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1031-P240<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A much higher bridge deck allowed boats and small ships to pass through underneath. However, before long major safety concerns were raised and planning began for yet another Panmure bridge. The second bridge was eventually demolished in 1963 with the help of a barge-mounted crane. Remnants of the concrete entry gates are still visible on either side of the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Demolition of the second Panmure bridge. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1031-P357<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Third Tamaki \/ Panmure Bridge, 1959-present<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The third Panmure bridge under construction across the Tamaki River between Panmure and Pakuranga, 1956. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Footprints 01403<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To replace the structurally-compromised second bridge, a third bridge<\/a> was built close to the former course of the first bridge on the eastern bank. Lagoon Drive was built to serve this bridge. It was designed by AO Barrowclough of Andrew Murray Partners for the Manukau County Council. Construction of this Panmure bridge also included an important water main pipe<\/a> underneath the road surface. The bridge was opened to the public on 19 December 1959.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aerial view of Pakuranga, 1 October 1960 with both the second (right) and third (left) Tamaki River crossings visible. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Footprints 05998<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Map from 1960 showing the 3rd bridge (“New Panmure Bridge”). Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Map 9282<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Aerial view of Pakuranga from 1967 showing the 3rd Tamaki \/ Panmure bridge. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Footprints 06018<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Originally a two-lane bridge, the third Panmure bridge was widened to three lanes in 1972. It is still in use today and features a tidal flow system: the centre lane is used for westwards traffic flow in the morning and eastwards in the afternoon. It is scheduled to be replaced around 2040.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View from the narrow footpath on the 3rd Tamaki bridge, 2016. Source: AMETI Urban and Landscape Design Framework<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Third Panmure Bridge, photo taken 2022. Source: Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bridge 4: Pakuranga-Waipuna Motorway Bridge, 1974-present<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Montage of photographs showing the construction of the fourth (Waipuna Road) bridge across the Tamaki River. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1031-P620<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The “Waipuna Bridge”, the Tamaki River’s fourth bridge. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 1031-P450<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In order to connect East Auckland to the Auckland Southern Motorway, a fourth Tamaki River crossing was constructed in the 1970’s. This bridge was designed by Gavin Cormack (Beca Carter Hollings and Ferner), built by Etude et Enterprises and formally opened on 10 May 1974<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Waipuna motorway bridge is located further south of the previous bridges. It rises from the eastern side over Millen Avenue and connects with Waipuna Road on the western bank of the Tamaki River and onwards to the motorway as the Southeastern Arterial Road. It’s still the main way (and frequently congested) way to drive from East Auckland to the city, though the addition of the long-awaited Reeves Road flyover will change things significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Aerial photo from 1993 of the Tamaki River, with the location of various bridges outlined. Image source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections Map 8781<\/a>, 8782<\/a>, 8802<\/a>. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Bridge 5: Eastern Busway Bridge, 2021-present<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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As part of the AMETI \/ Eastern Busway<\/a> project, a fifth bridge for buses and active transport was designed and completed in 2021. The 205 metre-long bridge comprises two bus lanes, a cycleway and a footpath and forms a key part of connecting the city centre to Botany. Once the entire busway route is complete, Auckland Transport have promised that travel by bus and train between Botany and Britomart will take 40 minutes, even in rush hour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As construction of the Eastern Busway Bridge occurred during the COVID pandemic, our family enjoyed frequent walks and bike rides over to watch its progress up close as part of our lockdown routine (at the time, there wasn’t much else we could visit!). Some highlights were watching specialist divers build the bridge’s pile caps from the water, seeing the huge green bridge structure gradually cantilevered into position over the river using hydraulic jacks and rollers<\/a>, and trying out the different detours the construction staff put in as different parts of the bridge and approach were completed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bridge was finally opened to walkers and cyclists on September 2021 (a welcome relief during Auckland’s Delta lockdown) and officially opened for buses on 15 December 2021.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Each “Panmure bridge” served its purpose at a different era of our city’s history. Considering that the first swing bridge was opened in 1865, there’s over 150 years of history underneath our feet or wheels each time we cross the Tamaki river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s hard to imagine what the sixth or seventh Tamaki River crossings will look like, perhaps in 50 years’ time. It’s also sparked me to think more and more about how to build bridges between different cultures, and ways followers of Jesus are called to be bridge-builders within the church and with our neighbours. After all, at the heart of the Christian faith is a Saviour who bridges the gulf<\/a> between God holiness and humanity’s sin. Yet whether it’s 1865 or 2023, we’ll always need a way to get from A to B.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunrise from the Eastern Busway Bridge. Not a bad view if you can get it!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Auckland suburb where we live has had its fair share of bridges. Before a bridge, the only way to cross the Tamaki River was “by a leaky and somewhat unreliable punt which frequently had a broken chain or was holed. Delays of up to an hour could occur when stock were crossing. The average … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “A brief history of the Pakuranga and Panmure bridges (1865-2023)”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4559,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[177,230,49],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chongsworship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4554"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chongsworship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chongsworship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chongsworship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chongsworship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4554"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/chongsworship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4554\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4606,"href":"https:\/\/chongsworship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4554\/revisions\/4606"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chongsworship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4559"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chongsworship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4554"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chongsworship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4554"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chongsworship.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}