Wynyard Crossing, Moveable pedestrian bridge in Waitematā Harbor, New Zealand.

Wynyard Crossing is a 100-metre double bascule bridge for pedestrians and cyclists, opened in 2011. It links Wynyard Quarter to Te Wero Island and Viaduct Harbour. Two 22-metre movable spans lift to create a 36-metre channel; when closed at high tide the clearance is 3 metres.

Wynyard Crossing was proposed after a larger structure able to carry buses and trams, estimated at $50 million, was dropped during the Great Recession, so a cheaper walking and cycling bridge was built in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Piling began in January 2011, the first 29-ton span was installed in April, and the bridge opened in early August 2011. Its foundations can later bear a public transport bridge.

The bridge is also called Te Wero Bridge, and its name ties the crossing to Te Wero Island. Boats contact the on-site operator by radio to have the two 22 m spans raised, a procedure pedestrians can watch from the deck. When the bridge is unsupervised it is closed to cyclists and pedestrians, as happened during COVID lockdowns.

The bridge is closed to pedestrians and cyclists whenever no on-site operator is on duty, as happened during COVID lockdowns. Boats request an opening by radio; the spans take 90 seconds to raise and 60 seconds to lower. At high tide the closed deck leaves only 3 m of clearance, so small craft pass without a lift.

What sets this bridge apart is that an on-site operator manually controls the lifting process when boats need to pass. This human element makes each raising a moment that pedestrians can watch unfold directly.