The original bridge at the end of Armagh Street crossing the Avon River / Ōtākaro into Hagley Park was a two-span wooden footbridge, built in 1860.

[1] The desire to enable a horse and carriage to drive through the park from Christchurch to Riccarton prompted the council to commission a more permanent bridge in 1885.

[1] Much like the Armagh Street Bridge a few blocks away, Charles Walkden (1824–1908), the City Surveyor, provided the design while Greig & Hunter were the builders.

[3] Today the bridge primarily provides vehicle access to the Christchurch Botanic Gardens car parking area, and is also part of the Uni-Cycle bike path.

[5] In 2004, the bridge was registered as a Category II heritage structure with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.