Another step towards a Harbour Bridge pathway

Auckland Council’s Transport Committee has endorsed establishing a technical steering group to investigate access for pedestrians across the Harbour Bridge.

The proposed members of the Auckland Harbour Bridge Pathway Technical Steering Group are the council, Auckland Transport, New Zealand Transport Agency, Waterfront Auckland and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development.

It would also include the Pathway Group, a team of Auckland professionals who have developed a proposal for a pathway on the bridge.

The group recently released a report into the feasibility and funding of a pathway attached under the southbound bridge clip-on.

The Mayor, through his Letter of Expectation and subsequently the Auckland Transport Draft Statement of Intent, established the initiative as a strategic priority.

Auckland Council Transport Committee Chair Mike Lee backs the move.

“Cycling and walking across the bridge has long been sought by Aucklanders and the magnificent views this would provide would also create a popular visitor attraction,” says Cr Lee. “A Harbour Bridge that also carries walkers and cyclists would add more value to the existing Harbour Bridge.”

Len Brown says “A pathway would be a boost to tourism as well as provide an important alternative transport option between the North Shore and of the rest of Auckland.”

A key issue for the steering group to investigate is whether the bridge can physically and structurally accommodate a safe pathway.

Funding is also an issue with the Pathway Group investigating alternatives including a toll.