Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
As Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and partners, Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and Ngā Iwi Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau embark on the next crucial phase of planning Aotearoa New Zealand’s most significant city shaping project, feedback is being sought on scenarios for crossing Te Waitematā and how best to connect to the North Shore and the wider transport network.
Last year, people were asked how they wanted to travel across the harbour in the future and what modes were important to them. Taking that feedback into account, Waka Kotahi has been working over the past six months to consider future connections across the harbour and how we connect to residential and business hubs in growing urban areas on the North Shore.
Brett Gliddon, Group General Manager Transport Services Waka Kotahi says crossing options for Te Waitematā, including bridges, tunnels, and a combination of the two, have been looked at in tandem with how the existing Auckland Harbour Bridge is best utilised.
“Each scenario has different combinations of options, including how the existing harbour bridge is used, how different modes use new bridges or tunnels, and how bridges and tunnels could work together. Every option comes with its own impacts, opportunities and constraints, which is why we are eager to understand which connections matter the most to people.
“Community engagement is key to this project’s success and before we can move to the next stage and recommend a preferred way forward, we’re seeking more feedback,” says Mr Gliddon.
Every scenario will provide facilities for all modes of travel including walking, cycling, light rail, bus, goods and services vehicles, freight and general traffic. This is imperative to ensuring that everyone has better accessibility, more resilient travel choice across the wider transport network.
Waka Kotahi and partners recognise the need to integrate transport improvements with quality urban development to unlock future growth, offering more opportunities to live closer to education, work, and other services, supporting a productive economy.
Last year’s survey confirmed strong public support for the project with almost every Aucklander having travelled over the Auckland Harbour Bridge in the last 12 months. While 30% of those that currently cross the harbour used public transport, 88% said they would catch a bus or a train across if they could.
The engagement survey opens today, Thursday 30 March and will be open until Monday 1 May. Given the scale of the project, people from across the country can have their say via an online survey at nzta.govt.nz/awhc(external link)
Public feedback will help us deliver a recommended way forward for the project in mid-2023. This is a complex project with more planning, design and consenting work to do following confirmation of a preferred option. Elements of the project could be delivered within the decade and construction is likely to begin by 2029.
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