Government announces it will fund and build SkyPath along Auckland Harbour Bridge, but cannot give completion date
Thursday, 23 August 2018
Auckland's SkyPath is fully funded by the Government, but Transport Minister Phil Twyford cannot say when the walk- and cycleway across the Harbour Bridge will be finished.
Previously, SkyPath was going to be a public-private partnership, but it crash-landed in early 2017, when the council's construction partner Downer pulled out, saying it no longer agreed with the fixed price set for the contract.
Twyford and Acting Associate Transport Minister James Shaw announced on Thursday the Government intended to fund SkyPath as part of a $390 million investment in walking and cycling projects nationwide over the next three years.
'SkyPath is a transformational project that will give Aucklanders the freedom to walk and cycle from the Shore to the city, all while taking in an amazing view,' said Twyford.
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But Twyford would not be drawn when asked if Auckland would have a SkyPath in time for the 2021 Americas Cup.
'There is now a detailed business case underway including a lot of the design work,' he said.
'That will be followed by a procurement process, and I expect there'll be a competitive tendering process for that work, so we're not putting a date on it now.
'I want to see as much progress as possible before the next election, but we're not in a position to put a date on it.'
Putting a date on the SkyPath's completion would be 'making life more difficult for all the people working on the project'.
'It's going to happen in the next few years,' Twyford said.
'This is a big project – we're still doing the detailed design work on it and then there's a procure,ment process and then there's the construction phase.
'But make no mistake, we want to see this SkyPath built as soon as possible.'
However, Twyford did indicate there would not be a toll to use SkyPath.
'I do not expect there'll be a cost.'
The NZ Transport Agency Board allocated $67m of National Land Transport Fund (NLTF) investment to progress SkyPath.
'SkyPath is the obvious, critical missing link in Auckland's cycle network and will become an iconic feature of Auckland's Harbour Bridge.
'SkyPath has been talked about for over a decade, but it now has the funding certainty to move ahead,' Twyford said.
The NZ Transport Agency would complete a detailed business case for SkyPath by mid-2019, he said.
The SkyPath funding was announced as part of a $390m walking and cycling investment package in the 2018/21 National Land Transport Programme (the NLTP). The full 2018/21 NLTP, including details on specific transport projects, will be announced next week.
Shaw said the package would be the single largest investment ever in walking and cycling infrastructure for New Zealand, and represented a $96m increase on the previous three years.
The NZ Transport Agency would complete a detailed business case for SkyPath by mid-2019, which would provide more certainty around the design and timing of the project, Twyford said.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff welcomed the Government's pledge of $67m to build Skypath, saying it would be 'transformational for Auckland, allowing pedestrians and cyclists for the first time ever to have permanent access across the harbour'.
'For adults and kids, locals and visitors to the city this creates the opportunity for a unique experience and to enjoy the fantastic vista of the city and harbour from the bridge.
'For commuters going to work, school or tertiary education it creates easy access to the city and equally for those wanting to visit the Shore and its beautiful beaches.
'Cycling in Auckland is growing at a significant rate. By building the most obvious gap in the walk and cycleway network there will be a huge incentive for more people to use active modes of transportation in place of our reliance on cars,' Goff said.
Bike Auckland said it was ecstatic with the Government's announcement, with Chair, Barb Cuthbert, calling the move visionary.
'Like the Waterview Tunnel, this project will be used and celebrated by thousands of Aucklanders every day, and will change lives.
Not only will SkyPath allow people to ride from the Shore to the City, it will also enable travel from out west along SH16, from the east along Tamaki Drive, and from the south side via the wonderful new SH20 and Waterview cycleways.'