The Amora footbridge connects the Amora Hotel to the former Michael Fowler Centre car park on Wakefield Street. The Amora Hotel is earthquake prone and has been closed for a number of years. The bridge has become redundant, and attracted antisocial behaviour, squatting, graffiti and illegal access to the hotel and the adjoining building. While the bridge is currently secured and all the glass has been removed as a safety measure, it is prudent to remove the bridge as soon as possible.
To safely remove the bridge, the section of Wakefield Street from Taranaki/Wakefield intersection to lower Cuba Street will be fully closed to traffic and pedestrians on Saturday 19 July, with the public asked to follow traffic management plan detours.
The bridge will be dismantled and landfilled, with items recycled where possible.
This weekend, Mercer Street will also be temporarily closed to vehicles on Sunday 20 July from approximately 6am-10am (weather permitting) for a helicopter operation lifting air conditioning units onto a nearby property.
There are some big events happening in Pōneke over the weekend too, starting with a Crane Parade on Saturday from 10am-12pm. Cranes of all shapes and sizes will take over central Wellington in a rolling celebration of the kiwi crane industry with a convoy cruising down Cable Street to the Barnett Street car park, with activities and whānau fun happening in Waitangi Park. More information about the Crane Parade here.
On Saturday afternoon, the record-breaking global sensation Wrexham AFC play local legends Wellington Phoenix FC at Sky Stadium as part of their tour down-under. With kick-off at 5pm, plan ahead, enjoy the lighting, audio and video screen installations along the waterfront, and get to the game early to avoid the crowds. The city will be busy, so be patient and where possible take public transport to events. Metlink have confirmed all train lines will be fully operating with extra carriages, no bus replacements and additional services after the match. Check out metlink.org.nz for public transport information, and head to Ticketek for tickets.
In another bumper weekend of sport in the capital, local heroes The Wellington Saints will host The Southland Sharks in the grand final of the 2025 Sal’s National Basketball League on Sunday 20 July. Tickets on sale at Ticketmaster, with doors opening at TSB Arena at 1.30PM and tip-off at 2.30PM.