THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AUCKLAND HARBOUR BRIDGE

Step by step coverage of the construction of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. A camp is built to house the 100 craftsman arriving from the United Kingdom, stores, canteens and workshops are also constructed. Piles are driven in for temporary jetties and to hold materials, and steel pontoons are launched. Construction begins on both side of the harbour. On May 30, 1959, the first pedestrians cross the bridge. The Governor General, Viscount Cobham attends the opening ceremony At the toll plaza, the Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Bridge Authority, Sir John Allan makes the first speech followed by the Prime Minister Sir Walter Nash. The Governor General’s car leads the procession over the bridge. Other traffic follows including the first mail truck.

“In the face of international competition a tender by the partnership for the construction of a four lane highway bridge the Waitemata Harbour in Auckland New Zealand was accepted in October 1954 by the Auckland Harbour Bridge Authority... The bridge was opened on May 30th 1959... In presenting this film the contractors acknowledge the cooperation given by the Auckland harbour Bridge Authority for whom the bridge was built and their consulting engineers Messrs: Freeman Fox & Partners” - (The Construction of the Auckland Harbour Bridge)