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Auckland Harbour Cycleway by night (artist's impression) - Source: Supplied by Copeland Associates Architects
Proposed Auckland Harbour Bridge cycleway. - Source: Supplied
Auckland Harbour cycleway (concept drawing) - Source: Supplied by Copeland Associates Architects -
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Aucklanders are being asked what they think of concept designs for a cycle and pedestrian pathway on the Auckland Harbour Bridge which would cost up to $31 million and be funded by tolls.
Mayor Len Brown, Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye and Hopper Developments CEO Leigh Hopper have today unveiled the plans.
They feature a walkway and cycleway up to four metres wide, slung under the bridge's southbound clip-on lane.
The preliminary costing is between $23 million and $31 million and the proponents, the Pathway Working Group, say the final cost depends on whether or not additional facilities are included such as special effects night lighting and observation platforms.
The group says the cost of the pathway's construction, maintenance and operation can be funded by a toll of $2 per trip. The New Zealand Transport Agency has said it is unable to fund the pathway.
Hopper Developments property developers have proposed a Public Private Partnership with Auckland Council to build the pathway.
Brown says the council has encouraged the development of the concept and is working on progressing it in partnership with the developers.
"I support workable options for walking and cycling across the harbour. This project could become one of Auckland's iconic attractions and be of huge benefit to people on both side of the bridge," he said.
Funding and construction would start in October 2012, with an expected opening of the pathway in April 2013.
Pathway project director Bevan Woodward says getting the pathway to the design stage has been a huge effort that goes back to around 2000.
"But there is new goodwill from both the Auckland Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency. We are working to have Aucklanders walking and cycling across their bridge by early 2013."
The walkway would be covered and "cocooned" under the southbound harbour bridge clip-on, with a perforated aluminium screen enabling views of the city, harbour and Hauraki Gulf.
The working group says the clip-ons have enough strength to support the pathway even under the most extreme loading scenario. It says structural engineers from the Transport Agency and the working group have spent many months analysing the various worst case scenarios of heavy truck traffic, crowds on the pathway and illegally overweight trucks.
The group says the pathway is forecast to be used by 1000 commuters a day who would otherwise drive.
It also says the clip-ons have an indefinite life, and a future harbour crossing is at least 20 years away, so the pathway can be built in time.
The group says the proposed $2 toll compares favourably with the minimum bus fare of $3.40. A survey among 11,000 supporters of the pathway showed 85% in support of a toll if NZTA was unwilling to fund it.
Aucklanders can have their say about the pathway project design on the Get Across website.
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