Normanby Road Bridge Opens to Pedestrians

In the early dawn light one morning in late May, representatives of our Mana Whenua Forum (MWF) performed a moving karakia (blessing) at the opening of a new pedestrian path on the Normanby Road bridge over CRL works.

Kīngi Makoare, Cultural Heritage Manager Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, led the kārakia on behalf of the Forum. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Te Ata, and Te Ākitai Waiohua representatives also attended.

The Normanby Road bridge will replace what was once a level rail crossing and will permanently remove the interface between people and cars with trains. It has been under construction since June 2021 and is expected to open to vehicles in late September 2022.

During the next four months, the team will continue to transfer the power, water, fibre and gas services from the temporary bridge onto the new bridge space, before decommissioning the temporary one in October 2022.