MINISTERIAL BRIEFING NOTE
Subject
Auckland Harbour Bridge shared path – Interim findings presentation
Date
6 August 2021
Briefing number
BRI-2265
Contact(s) for telephone discussion (if required)
Name
Position
Direct line
Cell phone
1st contact
s 9(2)(a)
Brett Gliddon
General Manager,
✓
Transport Services
Action taken by Office of the Minister
Noted
Seen by Minister
Agreed
Feedback provided
Forwarded to
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Withdrawn
under the Official Information Act 1982
Overtaken by events
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BRI-2265
6 August 2021
Hon Michael Wood - Minister of Transport
AUCKLAND HARBOUR BRIDGE SHARED PATH – INTERIM
FINDINGS PRESENTATION
Purpose
1.
In early-2021, you asked Waka Kotahi to investigate options to accommodate a shared path on
the Auckland Harbour Bridge as interim solution for walking and cycling across the Waitemata
Harbour until the Northern Pathway is complete.
2.
The purpose of this briefing is to formally provide you with a copy of the presentation given to you
verbally by Brett Gliddon, General Manager, Transport Services on 12 July 2021.
3.
This briefing also sets out the challenges identified in the presentation and confirms the decision-
making process that will be followed for selecting an interim solution.
Background
4.
As part of the NZ Upgrade Programme, the Government has confirmed funding of $785m to
deliver the Northern Pathway Westhaven to Akoranga project.
5.
The preferred option for the Waitemata Harbour crossing section is a standalone bridge
alongside the existing Auckland Harbour Bridge (AHB). The soonest construction is expected to
be able to begin is mid-2022, subject to the approval process, and will take four to five years to
construct.
6.
Waka Kotahi is now working hard to deliver the Northern Pathway, with a large team engaged on
design, consenting and construction planning.
7.
In the meantime, Waka Kotahi has been asked to investigate an interim solution to provide a
suitable walking and cycling connection across the Waitemata Harbour until such time that the
under the Official Information Act 1982
Northern Pathway is completed. This includes the use of buses or ferries, as well as the
reallocation of lanes on the AHB to provide a shared path for walking and cycling.
8.
The attached presentation sets out a range of options explored for repurposing lanes on the
AHB, including an assessment of the outcomes, challenges and costs for each option.
9.
The objective of the investigation to date was to consider the health and safety implications for
people on the bridge and our staff, what could be accommodated without impacting the overall
structural integrity, operational considerations and implications across the wider transport
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network.
10. Waka Kotahi is continuing work to consider other interim options, including dedicated bus and
ferry services.
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Key findings
11. As detailed in the Interim Findings presentation, a combination of single lane and two-lane
configurations, as well as short term (weekend) and permanent options to accommodate a
shared path on the Auckland Harbour Bridge have been considered as part of the investigations.
12. While it is not impossible to implement either a short-term or permanent walking and cycling
solution, we have identified a number of very significant challenges, including:
• Structural implications
• Width and gradient challenges (one lane options)
• Health and safety concerns
• Significant network implications
• Restrictions for large vehicles
• Operational challenges
13. To ensure the safety of all users, provision of a shared path on the clip-on structure would
require barriers to be installed to separate general traffic from shared path users. The weight of
such a barrier would require limitations to be imposed on heavy vehicle use of the clip-on lanes
in a one lane configuration.
14. Due to structural limitations preventing the fixing of any structures to the bridge deck, a barrier
system similar to the current movable lane barrier would be required. The procurement and
installation of a suitable barrier system would take time and make a summer trial a challenge to
achieve.
15. One lane options also have challenges on health and safety for users due to width and gradient,
and also have wider network implications and operational challenges.
16. Due to demand on bridge capacity, two-lane options have significant impacts on the wider
transport network, unless access to the shared path was limited to periods of low demand (i.e.
Sunday mornings).
under the Official Information Act 1982
17. Historically, Waka Kotahi has allowed access to the bridge for special events, such as the
Auckland Marathon. These events are accommodated during periods of low demand, typically
before 10am on Sunday, and enable measures to be put in place to ensure the safety of users,
as well as managing the impact across the wider network.
18. We consider that such events could continue to be accommodated for walkers and cyclists.
However, as noted above, this is far from delivering the level of service being sought by
delivering an interim solution.
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Decision making
19. While use of lanes on the Auckland Harbour Bridge is an operational matter and decisions
ultimately fall with the Waka Kotahi Board, Waka Kotahi recognises the significance of this and
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the upcoming decisions for the Government and community. We will therefore wait for your
feedback before a decision is sought from the Board.
20. Waka Kotahi is committed to working closely with you to identify and deliver a suitable interim
solution.
It is recommended that you:
1.
Note the contents of this briefing.
Noted
...........................................................................
Brett Gliddon
General Manager, Transport Services
............................................................................
Hon Michael Wood, Minister of Transport
Date:
2021
under the Official Information Act 1982
Released
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