City to Sea Bridge closing from late August for repairs and renewal

Work is starting soon to renew the City to Sea Bridge and strengthen the former Capital E building connected to it.   


The City to Sea Bridge is closing from late August 2026 to April 2027 for repairs and renewal. While it’s closed, signs will guide people into Te Ngākau Civic Square through the Victoria Street and Harris Street entrances, and to the waterfront via the pedestrian crossings on Jervois Quay. 

Work on the bridge includes essential repairs to make its structure watertight and replace materials that have reached the end of their lifespan, along with upgrades to improve safety and accessibility.  

The bridge’s surface needs to be lifted so the waterproof membrane between it and the roof of the former Capital E building underneath can be replaced. The significant logistics of doing this work means the bridge won’t reopen in February 2027 along with Te Whare Whakarauika Wellington Town Hall as originally indicated. The laneway between the Town Hall and the Michael Fowler Centre is on schedule to reopen in February though. 

Councillor Nureddin Abdurahman, chair of Council’s Te Hoe Matua | City Strategy and Delivery Committee, says the bridge is an important part of our city and a vital link between the city and the waterfront. 

“Demolition of the City to Sea Bridge was budgeted for $36 million in Council’s Long-term Plan, and instead our plan to refurbish the Bridge comes in at $15 million. This is a significant and valued part of the inner city, I’m pleased we can save the Bridge and save money from what was originally budgeted for demolition.  

“It is essential we get the repairs done so Wellingtonians and visitors can safely enjoy this vital link between the heart of the city and the waterfront for years to come.” 

Targeted earthquake strengthening of the former Capital E building will address its seismic vulnerabilities and ensure the building is safe for future use. Its interior will be upgraded to a minimum level, ready for a future fit-out. This work is expected to finish in June 2027. 

The Bridge’s artwork and architecture will be carefully preserved and restored where needed. This includes restoring the sculptures by Paratene Matchitt and artworks by Rewi Thompson, including the pyramid. The paving artwork by Toi Te Rito Maihi will be lifted to access and repair the materials underneath, and then reinstated.  

Lucy Thompson says: “My father, Rewi Thompson, loved creating public spaces that connected people and places. We’re thrilled that his contributions to the City to Sea Bridge are being restored and thoughtfully looked after. Seeing his creative vision protected for future generations to enjoy means a great deal to our whānau, and we’re excited to see this work begin.” 
 
New landscaping for some of the areas surrounding the Bridge will integrate them with the rest of Te Ngākau Civic Square’s revitalised design, which is based around returning te taiao (the natural world) to this part of the city.   

The project is being delivered within the $15 million budget, approved by the Wellington City Council’s Te Hoe Matua | City Strategy and Delivery Committee in February 2026.