Just over two years ago I had one of most awesome mornings ever, as along with thousands of others, we took back the harbour bridge for people – even if it was just for an hour or two:
One thing that stood out for me that day was just how utterly beautiful Auckland looked from a pedestrian’s perspective crossing the Harbour Bridge:
That day’s crossing was effectively a protest against NZTA’s stupidity in not allowing a proper celebration of the Harbour Bridge’s 50th birthday through the provision of an organised pedestrian day, as well as the long-term unfairness of not being about to walk or cycle across the harbour. But what’s come out of that day has been a lot of constructive work by the Get Across group, which is now starting to look really exciting.
Here’s their latest media release:
Public to get first look at proposed harbour bridge pathway
Public and private groups investigating the feasibility of a pathway design on the Auckland Harbour Bridge have jointly agreed a design to be put forward for approval by NZTA. The design is to be publicly unveiled on Sunday, Aug 21 at 3pm at Wynyard Quarter by Mayor Len Brown so that Aucklanders can give their feedback.
The Pathway Working Group (PWG) has worked closely with NZTA and its bridge consultants Beca, to agree upon an engineering solution for the proposed walking and cycling pathway on the Auckland Harbour Bridge. An acceptable pedestrian management system will need to be approved by NZTA to limit the number of pedestrians on the Pathway at any one time.
PWG spokesman Bevan Woodward says that from an operational health and safety perspective, probably no more than 1,000 users are wanted on the Pathway at any one time. “However this allows for a conservative throughput of 5,000 people per hour, which is more than sufficient to make the project doable,” he says.
“The number of Pathway users will be controlled by the barrier gates with a counting device and overseen by on-site security personnel and CCTV cameras.
“The advantage of this system is that we are able to reduce the numbers on the Pathway should traffic loadings on the AHB significantly increase over the next 20 years. For example if the peak loading time of 3 to 4pm on weekdays was becoming a concern, then user numbers during this period could be reduced.”
Mr Woodward says a similar system of monitoring and control the number of Pathway users was first proposed for the AHB in 2007 by NZTA’s predecessor Transit NZ. “It helps ensure that the proposed Pathway will not impact on the bridge’s ability to carry additional traffic in the future.”
The proposed Pathway has been costed by quantity surveyors WT Partnership. In summary the indicative preliminary cost estimates (including contingencies) are:
Pathway and access ramps $17.4M
Bridge additional strengthening $3.8M
Design review costs $1.6M
Total cost, completed as a tolled facility $22.8MHopper Developments has advised that the proposed toll of $2 for HOP card users (and $5 for cash/credit card/text users) over a 20 year period, will support a total construction cost of $23M.
The public launch of the Pathway’s concept design is happening on Sunday, August 21, 3pm at Wynyard Quarter. Aucklanders will be asked for their feedback on the proposed design.
Mayor Len Brown, MP Nikki Kaye and Leigh Hopper will make brief announcements. Rod Oram will MC the event.
PWG spokesman Bevan Woodward says the group is very pleased to have made such good progress over the last three months.
“Personally, I’d like to commend NZ Transport Agency for their commitment to the process.”
Pathway Architect Barry Copeland says: “A computer animation, scale models and large images of the concept design will be unveiled at the Public launch. There are also a number of additional design features that Aucklanders will be asked to rate; for example the addition of observation decks to the Pathway, enhanced access ramps and special night lighting of the Pathway and bridge.”
Aucklanders are to be asked to give their feedback at www.getacross.org.nz from Sunday, August 21st.
This is really exciting. I think a walkway across the bridge could be a premiere tourist attraction in Auckland as well as a useful transport link and just a great thing to do for people living here. I really do hope there’s the opportunity to feel like you’re really outside as you cross the bridge – because it’s a pretty spectacular experience as I found out back in May 2009.
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I actually had a dream last night which featured a large cycling event that went over the Harbour Bridge. But when I got there I realised it cost quite a lot of money to participate in, and I was a little disappointed. This blog must be sinking into my psyche.
That sounds uncannily accurate: http://greaterakl.wpengine.com/2011/06/20/65-to-cycle-across-harbour-bridge/
Yeah. Except in my dream it was $50. My brain gives me discounts.
More seriously, I think the appropriate comparison is to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge. Neither of which charge pedestrians, and are known and loved as symbols of the city and connect people with their harbours. This bridge opens up huge opportunities and is going to be used by many, if it’s free. Tolling will reduce this (the only question is by how much). There are a range of outcomes to consider, but the narrow focus on fiscal sustainability is ridiculous and disappointing, reflective of a narrow thinking by people who have no idea how to create the best city in the world (sorry to be so negative, (and replicate largely what I said at AKT) but these things have to be said).
I still don’t get why NZTA aren’t just funding this, or didn’t years ago. This is transport. If anyone needed clear evidence of the dense layer of institutional bias there and at MoT against anyone moving without an engine and on a road, here it is. The bridge has always been suboptimal because it is in fact a barrier to any way of connecting the two sides of the harbor unless you are in a car or truck. This is the culture that has to change, I’m sure they have no idea what I’m saying as they have so completely compartmentalized their idea of what do to nothing but facilitating the movement of metal on roads. This represents the successful take over of powerful arms of the state by special interest groups. These are two functionally broken organizations, they do not work for society but for a specific section only.
I agree with Patrick and George that the pedestrian crossing absolutely should be free. I’m very confident that it will be free, when we eventually have a government that gives NZTA and MoT the mighty kick up the ass that is so desperately necessary.
The important thing is getting it built. We can sort out the other stuff at a later date. Council and NZTA could pay a half-share each I reckon, that seems the most obvious solution.
You mean ask the same rocket scientists who could see any need for a footpath or allow cycling on the new Grafton Road to Wellesley St overbridge to fund a much longer foot/bikepath? Much as I would like to see this happening I can’t. Meanwhile bring on the funding for 53 tonne trucks.
Of course you’re right….. silly of me really
As I understand it there would need to be some way to limit the number of people on the walk/cycle way at a time so a toll gate would be a good way to do that.
You can have automated systems for identifying the number of people entering and exiting (being a bridge you have only two points to monitor) that could cover this without tolling. The country is becoming obese, so rather than making it easy for someone to walk from the North Shore to work in the CBD we’re going to toll them. The government should be ashamed of such stupidity being suggested and fund this.
London has loads of bridges across the Thames, we don’t have any way to walk or cycle across the harbour. ARGHHHH!
God I hope this goes ahead, its scandalous that NZTA won’t cough up the pocket change needed to fund it.
I have the feeling this will be built under the guise of a toll crossing but in the end some politician will see the light and use funding it publicly as a election campaign.
I would hate to see some long duration PPP in place only to see it garner far more patronage than anticipated (sound familiar?) then have some company creaming huge revenue in tolls fo the rest of time.
surely New Zealand is the only country in the world to propose TOLLING walking and cycling.
Embarrassing.
And yet if this is the only way we’re gonna get it done in this political climate, I guess I have to support it.
I can drive on it for free but I’d have to pay to walk? Wow, that’s a big nonsense. Wow. Bunuel could have made a movie out of it.
The proposed design for the Auckland Harbour Bridge Pathway ‘Blip-on Clip-on’ is spectacular; elegant and light, it will be a fitting addition to Auckland. Come along to the launch next Sunday 21 August, 3pm at the Wynyard Quarter and show your support.
The proposition is self funding through the tolls and PPP arrangement, which is the only current way to deal with the budget requirement. There’s been no money from the government under the National Cycleways fund (!!) and NZTA won’t contribute. It’s great the project has got this far with them though- remember when they were just saying ‘No!’.
Because of the weight management requirements (heavy truck priority), pedestrian and cycling movements will be limited, but there’s still plenty of capacity, and the technology and to do that. Even then it all stacks up. The project will be discussed and debated at the launch so come and have your say.
The Pathway Steering Group led by Bevan Woodward with a team of professionals and supporters have proven this project is justified, affordable, and viable. We know it’s desireable and exciting. We know Aucklanders support the right to walk & cycle across the harbour bridge. This can be a reality. Hope to see you at the launch. On your bike.
Hi Christine – great to hear from you. Will be nice to see you next Sunday (and all the best for your election campaign!).
I agree with you and the others who have identified the key thing – let’s not complain, let’s build it, and get it working. Some day in the future (probably much earlier than 20 years from now) it will be free for all users, as it indeed should be. Bevan and all the crew need to be aplauded for the persistence in the face of the (almost) impossible resistance they have encountered through the years. I know I was way too “realist”, and am happy he wasn’t.
Max Robitzsch
Cycle Action Auckland
Thanks Max, if a fairy god mother comes up with alternative funding, we can reject the toll idea. That would be nice. In the meantime we have a workable solution. We need idealists and realists in policy and politics, and we’re lucky to have had both in this project, as well as bloody minded determination and the belief in the vision -and the support of Aucklanders. A perfect match. Ride on! See you Sunday.
@Max @Christine yes! the key is to get it built, we can sort the equity issues later, going to be madly popular….
@Patrick R – the interesting thing is that it doesn’t even HAVE to be “madly popular”. All it does have to do is get the numbers of users needed to service the loan. If it does that (and I think and hope the calculations are conservative enough), then we can argue from a position of strength, and say:
“Look, even WITH a toll, Aucklanders and tourists are using it in significant. Now think about the numbers if there WASN’T a toll, and if we improved the cycleways to and from the bridge…”
Yeah, problem is going to be keeping people off it…. other way to look at it is that if humans deserve to be tolled then how about we tax the machines too, ha!