The Upper Harbour Bridge is a motorway bridge (technically two
bridges as of 2006), which spans over a reach of the Waitemata
Harbour and connects Hobsonville (in Waitakere City) and Greenhithe
(in North Shore City), New Zealand. It is also an important
connection for State Highway 18, which will become even more
important once the Western Ring Route is finished (likely to be in
the next decade).
The original bridge was built in the 1970s. This proved
insufficient for modern traffic demands of over 27,000 vehicles per
day ,and a duplicate bridge was constructed next to it. The new
bridge was designed and engineered by Beca, and built between
2005-2006 by Fletcher Construction using self-compacting concrete.
The new bridge cost approximately $30 million and provides a 524 m
long, 16.5m wide, 10 span crossing. This was designed to match the
existing 457 m long existing 7-span cantilever bridge
aesthetically.
Both bridges together will provide three lanes towards
Greenhithe (an uphill gradient) and two lanes downhill. At the
moment (2006), Transit NZ has closed off the old bridge to make
repairs, especially to reduce a sagging effect due to old
tensioning cables. When the the Greenhithe motorway upgrade is
completed (which is scheduled for 2007-08), all lanes will be
reopened. The new bridge also provides a cycle-way and walkway on
the north side.
Cache is a small sistema container, lightly camoed, with a
number of trading items, logbook ,pencil etc.
ITS NOT DOWN THE DROP,IT'S ON THE FLAT(ISH) AREA.
I know of some surfcasters who have had success at the base
of the bridge in times past,at the right time of the year (when the
fish are here)