Jacobs Ladder Bridge, Covered footbridge in Saint Marys Bay, New Zealand

Jacobs Ladder Bridge is a covered footbridge in Saint Marys Bay, Auckland, New Zealand, linking Westhaven Marina to a historic staircase while spanning over State Highway 1. The structure is wrapped in a golden-toned metal mesh and offers different pedestrian access points on each side.

The bridge opened on 15 December 2012, replacing a route where the Jacob's Ladder stairs ran down to motorway level and linked east via a footpath. Construction of abutments and column footings began in early 2011; the two trusses were installed that August. The final cost reached $7.9 million against a forecast of up to $5 million.

The metal mesh wrapping the bridge is inspired by traditional Maori fishing nets, and this reference is visible to anyone crossing it. This link between an everyday craft object and a modern structure is unusual in the area.

The southern side has gently ramped paths for easy access, while the northern side has stairs and an elevator leading to the parking area. Which side you use depends on where you are starting from, as each one connects to a different part of the neighborhood.

The bridge was forecast to cost up to $5 million, but the final cost reached $7.9 million. Its golden mesh cladding is meant to evoke Maori fishing nets or fish traps, giving motorway travellers a gateway marker into Auckland.