The Jacobs Ladder Bridge is a covered footbridge being constructed over State Highway 1 in Auckland, New Zealand. The bridge will connect Westhaven Marina over the widened 10-lane motorway to the Jacob's Ladder stairs leading up to the Saint Marys Bay suburb. The bridge will be 102m long, 3.7m wide, and be 6m above the motorway with an internal height of 3m. The bridge is to cost up to $5 million.[1][2] [3]
The bridge is to provide a gateway statement to Auckland for travellers on the motorway, clad in a golden-coloured mesh network reminiscent of Maori fishing nets or fish traps, and will be lit up at night to provide a similar visual effect.[3]
Previously, the Jacob's Ladder stairs used to come all the way down to the motorway level on the southern side, and connect east via a footpath. The stairs will now only extend down as far as the bridge's crossing height, with ramped pedestrian paths provided running west and east along the motorway's southern side. On the northern side, stairs and an elevator will provide access down to the marina car park.[3]
Construction is underway for abutments and column footings of the bridge as of early 2011. While Jacob's Ladder access will be restored in time for the Rugby World Cup 2011, the new bridge will only be completed some time later.[4] In August 2011, the two trusses had been installed, and the floor slabs for the bridge were beginning to be installed, transport in place by a temporary "monorail" attached to the top of the truss.[5]