Voice your support for the Auckland Harbour Bridge walkway and cycle way!…

We believe that the walk/cycle way on the Harbour Bridge would be the corner stone project for improved walking and cycling in the Auckland region, similar to Britomart being the corner stone project for the revival of Auckland ’s once dreadful rail passenger service.

Here’s the latest as our campaign proceeds…

Dec’ 10

Auckland Harbour Bridge Design Scheme Will Go to NZTA

The design concept for the Auckland Harbour Bridge Pathway walking and cycling proposal has won the approval of many of our new councillors – as well as being a hit with Aucklanders.

The design scheme for a shared walking and cycling facility beneath the AHB’s southbound clip-on will be presented this month to NZTA for feasibility review.

Project Director Bevan Woodward says that construction of the facility could move fast once NZTA approval of the design scheme is in place. A PPP (or Build Own Operate Transfer) scheme will be one of the options under consideration. Auckland development company Hopper Developments is working with the Auckland Harbour Bridge Pathway charitable trust on the project.

The proposal will give Aucklanders an attractive, sheltered and secure pathway over the AHB, providing a critical missing link for Auckland cyclists and walkers, as well as offering an exciting attraction for tourists and visitors.

The design for the $16 million project is by Auckland architects Copeland Associates, and engineer Roger Twiname of Airey Consultants has provided the structural design work needed to present the proposal to NZTA for review. The new concept is for a single under hung pathway beneath the southbound clip-on’s two traffic lanes, using a lightweight cable-net truss system.

Cyclists and walkers crossing the bridge would pay a toll, expected to vary from $1.95 per trip for regular commuters using a smartcard, to $5 per trip for casual visitors.

The Auckland Harbour Bridge Pathway proposal was created following many years of advocacy from Auckland cyclists who saw the vital importance for the city of a walking and cycling link across the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The Pathway group includes many community and political leaders, as well as the technical design team of engineers and architects, all of whom have contributed considerable resources to the project over 2010.

May’10: Bridge-path campaigners win developer’s backing

Campaigners for a tolled pedestrian and cycle path across Auckland Harbour Bridge have attracted a leading coastal development company to build and operate it as a joint venture.

Read more in the Herald article.

Jan’10: Iconic Design sought for Auckland Harbour Bridge’s Pathway

Prominent Auckland architects, Copeland Associates, have been commissioned to create an iconic design for the Pathway proposed for the Auckland Harbour Bridge and Aucklanders are being invited to have their say.

GetAcross spokesperson Bevan Woodward says “Following NZTA’s agreement to the feasibility of the Pathway on the city-side of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, the concept design work can commence.  We’re after an iconic design with the ‘wow!’ factor.  We want to create a top 10 tourist attraction for the Auckland region and an asset all Aucklanders will be proud of.”

Hence we’re inviting Aucklanders to have their say on the Pathway’s design. They can do this by completing the online survey at www.getacross.org.nz.

May’09: It’s the Bridge’s 50th birthday, so what better way to celebrate than to GetAcross?

May’08: We presented to the Transit Board in Wellington and got a very good response.

February’08: The team working on the additional Waitemata Harbour Crossing have agreed to look at the options for the walkway/cycleway over the Harbour Bridge as advised by Transit on Feb 27…

"The Implementation Executive has agreed to jointly manage a study to look at the options to provide walking
and cycling links across the harbour. This study will include but not be limited to the option presented by CAA.

The study will assess identified options in terms of:

1) The expected demand  and utilisation of the crossing option
2) The connectivity to the networks on either side of the harbour
3) The impact of each option on the operation of the bridge and other parts of the network
4)  The cost of the option

The IE are currently agreeing on a proposed brief and hope to have it signed off by the end of this week and will
look to appoint consultants once the scope and the terms of reference have been finalised." 

December’07: Jon Bridges was on Friday’s National Radio ‘Panel Discussion’ and gave a very good overview of the walkway/cycleway situation, which included describing our Harbour Bridge as “an embarrassment”.

November’07: We’re putting together a campaign team for the project as we believe there is a distinct window of opportunity over the few months to get the walkway/cycleway approved, given the requirement for Transit to start the clip-on strengthening project in mid 2008.

October’07: The story hits front page of NZ Herald, and Rick van Barneveld, CEO of Transit does his bit to undermine the importance of the project by questioning “if that is a prioritry for Auckland”.  It seems that he would rather stick to building motorways for Auckland and ignore rising oil prices, climate change, the health impacts, and grave risk to the economy, continue with a car dependent transport system.

June’07: Slowly but surely seems to be the theme here.  Transit have received the final design and costing report which shows a cycle way and walk way are all do-able.  It now goes Transit’s management team for approval before going to the Transit Board later this year. All going well, construction could start next year!

Feb’07: Transit have completed their feasibility study and it looks promising.  A final design and cost project has been commissioned and this is due by June’07

June’05: Transit tries to backpedal on bridge cycleway plans- see Herald article.

August’04: Government has ordered a feasibility study to be carried out for a cycle/walkway on the bridge- see Herald article.

July’04:

When local cyclist Graeme Knowles got serious about wanting a cycle and walk way over Auckland’s Harbour Bridge he never thought it would see him called to the Beehive.

In March 2003, Northcote MP Ann Hartley announced the beginning of the ‘Bike-n’-Hike’ campaign and Mr Knowles initiated a 6,000 signature petition which has led to a request for a submission to be made this week to a Parliamentary Select Committee.

On 29 July 2004, Mr Knowles and a contingent from Cycle Action Auckland presented their case to Parliament for a feasibility study into a cycle and walk way over Auckland’s Harbour Bridge. They were supported by a wide range of Auckland community institutions and councils, including North Shore City Council, Auckland Regional Council and AUT.

“We are seeking a feasibility study to be carried out, with collaboration and cooperation between those parties concerned. This shouldn’t be a huge ask, but given that it’s a vital step we need to make it happen as it hasn’t happened yet.” With a hint of anticipation, Mr Knowles says, “This is an exciting time and it could open up mode-of-transport opportunities that simply have never existed in Auckland before.”

When the bridge was first planned in the 1950s a cycle and walk way was included but cost-cutting saw it removed. “Our bridge is so significant yet it lacks public walking and cycling access – what sort of message does that send?” Mr Knowles says “Because cycling and walking are not permitted on the Auckland Harbour Bridge this has effectively turned Auckland into a car dependant region and recent upgrades of the public transport network struggle to deal with the varied destinations sought.”

Auckland needs to find new alternatives to our reliance on cars, and Aucklanders need to do some exercise as five times as many people die prematurely from inactivity, than from car crashes.

Chairperson Sally McAra says Cycle Action Auckland is keen to be involved and to assist with design and access issues. CAA predict a significant rise in cycling numbers should the project proceed, especially if you consider our need to reduce air pollution and get people out exercising.

“Future events such as the proposed hosting of the V8 car race will require a huge reduction in car transport, and alternatives provided, so we see this proposal as both logical and timely.”

FAQs about the proposed Auckland Harbour Bridge cycle/walkway here.

For further info contact:

Bevan Woodwardmobile: 021 122-6040questions@getacross.co.nz

News articles:

• A walkway/cycleway over the Harbour Bridge – An easy way to do it
• ‘Aucklanders wish to walk over bridge’ (Scoop, 27 July 2004)
• ‘Cyclist itching to ride on Harbour Bridge’ (NZ Herald, 28 July 2004)
• ‘Committee considers Auckland bridge walkway petition’ (Stuff, 28 July 2004)
• ‘Petition calls for bridge walk’ (TVNZ, 28 July 2004)
• ‘Push for cycles on bridge’ (NZCity, 28 July 2004)
• ‘Petition to walk harbour bridge’ (xtra news, 29 July 2004)
• ‘Government eyes Harbour Bridge cycle and walkway’ (NZ Herald, 30 July 2004)
• ‘Ticket to ride harbour bridge decades off’ (NZ Herald, 22 June 2005)
• ‘Cyclists prove they’re quickest’ (NZ Herald, 2 March 2006)