The Wynyard Bridge was still undergoing testing on 12 December and closed off to foot traffic. Photo: RNZ / Maia Ingoe
Auckland CBD business owners are breathing a sigh of relief that a pedestrian bridge connecting Wynyard Quarter to the Viaduct could reopen on Friday.
The Wynyard Crossing bridge had been broken and stuck in the upright position since March, meaning pedestrians who want to get to the bars and restaurants on the waterfront have faced a 20-minute walk or a ride on a small passenger ferry.
It had since undergone a full overhaul, with parts being repaired and a new protective coating.
Checks were still underway on the bridge on Thursday.
While Auckland Council-controlled development agency Eke Panuku would not confirm an opening date, board meeting minutes from Wednesday showed it could be Friday.
The bridge would operate between 7:30am and 11:30pm at first. Once any teething issues had been addressed, it would be open 24 hours a day.
Alex Pearson, the general manager of the Wynyard Pavilion restaurant on Jellicoe Street, said it had been a tough 2024 without the bridge.
"It's been an obstacle for a lot of people, not a lot of people are going to make the long walk around, especially in the winter when the weather's not so good.
"So [the bridge being open will] just make it a lot easier for people to move between the Viaduct and Wynyard Quarter."
There were a lot of events planned for the area in 2025, including SailGP from 18-19 January, and the bridge would be crucial, Pearson said.
"SailGP is looking really really good, it's going to be really busy down here, doing a lot to activate the space, and then we've got Six60 playing here in March. So there's a going on in Wynyard Quarter over summer, so it will be good to have the bridge all operational to make it easier for people to get down here."
The red passenger ferry which has served as a bridge replacement, transporting people over the 100-metre distance between the Viaduct and Wynyard Quarter. Photo: RNZ / Maia Ingoe
Sanedhya Nemani, the manager of North Park restaurant, hoped the bridge would reopen for the summer holidays.
"All the business mostly happens, like all the big groups, big family gatherings, they love to come around Christmas time and the summer because of the good weather. And the bridge is also playing a very important role for this part of Wynyard."
With summer also being the season of cruise ship tourists, the bridge re-opening could not come soon enough, Conservatory Bar and Restaurant owner Tricky Hartley said.
"Seventy percent of the customers out in the Wynyard Quarter in summer are tourists. With that bridge not being open, it meant we couldn't get any cruise ships in, we couldn't get the people staying in the city because they don't know the city well enough to traverse around it."
He was anticipating the bridge re-opening on Friday and had boosted staff numbers in preparation.
"In another two weeks, most of Auckland will have left Auckland apart from the tourists. We'd like to welcome all the locals back here just as much as we want the tourists down here. So we've all got our fingers crossed, literally can't wait to get the Wynyard Quarter back to its glory."
Viv Beck from the business association Heart of the City said there would be huge relief at the bridge re-opening.
"It's had a big impact on sales, and for all the people that use that bridge, it's just a vital connector, and there's been a lot of frustration and distress over the time it's been out."
The red passenger ferry that has served as a replacement would continue until mid-January, in case there were any issues.
But Beck said businesses were hoping the lengthy closure period meant the repair will be long-lasting.
"We'll be making sure there's a clear programme of maintenance and ensuring this doesn't happen again. It showed how critical this connection is, and we just really are hoping this is a first-class refurbishment that will last the test of time."
Beck was encouraging people to get out and make the most of the Wynyard Quarter.
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