Thanks to Auckland Council Parks and Devonport-Takapuna Local Board for a free school holiday attraction at Bayswater pipe bridge on Bayswater Ave, between Takapuna and Devonport. If you haven’t seen it yet, we promise it’s worth a visit.
Brian Perry Contractors are building the new $2.5m bridge which will replace the historic super-narrow cycle and walking path over the sewer pipe. The project is a showcase of construction grunt – a big digger and a crane, a drilling rig, tip-trucks and a heavy duty ‘temporary works’ bridge made of motorway-strength concrete staging panels. I recommend you get this contractor on the job if you want to make things happen – they are weeks ahead of schedule on the project!
All of this gear and construction activity is happening right beside the pipe bridge. This makes it a rare opportunity for local kids and their grannies, dads, mums, big sisters and brothers to be up-close and personal with all this gear and activity. Perry’s staff are clearly well trained in PR, as they are extremely courteous and generous in answering questions from sticky-beaking members of the public hanging out over their construction site.
We all know how kids love to see how building works. They are usually blocked off from building sites by big fences – but not here. Don’t waste this opportunity to get an eyeful of the action. You have until Friday, 17 May – after then the pipe bridge will be closed for demolition to allow the flash new 2.5m wide bridge to be constructed. A temporary foreshore route is planned while the new bridge is built. It tends to get boggy, so isn’t recommended for cycles.
A community celebration is planned for Mother’s Day, 12th May to give everyone a last chance to walk the historic pipe bridge and to celebrate progress towards the new bridge.
Please join us!
What: Sausage sizzle – bike fixup and community gathering
When: 11am-3pm Sunday, 12th May
Where: beside the pipe bridge, below Bayswater Cemetery, on the Devonport to Takapuna Green Route
Get there by cycling or walking – closest access is from Bayswater Ave but it can also be reached via the Green Route from Northboro Ave, and the Francis St boardwalk. For a big day out from the city, come via the Bayswater or Devonport ferries (bikes travel for free and Bayswater Ave is cycle friendly).
T
his event is brought to you by the Bayswater Community Committee, Auckland Transport, Bayswater Dog Walkers, the North Shore Police BBQ team and Cycle Action Auckland.
Special mention has to be made of Zane Bray (of AT’s Community Transport team) for cycling to all of our meetings, and being the ultimate go-to man for the event.
The Bayswater C.C. and Cycle Action Auckland have been lobbying for years for a new wider bridge – this is a major success to celebrate.
