SkyPath backers float user pays despite Government's toll-free suggestion

Sunday, 7 October 2018

The Government-funded SkyPath is a shared walkway and cycle that would clip onto the side of Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Users may have to pay to use Auckland's controversial SkyPath after all.

And it's been revealed the planned project could likely hit a $45 million construction price tag.

The Government is funding Auckland's SkyPath as part of a $390 million investment in walking and cycling projects nationwide, allocating $67m to the clip-on thoroughfare.

In announcing funding back in August, Transport Minister Phil Twyford indicated SkyPath would be toll-free.

* Government to fund and build SkyPath, but cannot give completion date

* NZTA backs Auckland's SkyPath, despite questions of feasibility

Skypath head Bevan Woodward says the Auckland project will carry 'a lot more cost' than similar overseas shared pathways.

* Government could fund Auckland's SkyPath, making it toll-free for residents

* New councillor floats SkyPath across harbour in maiden speech**

'I do not expect there'll be a cost,' he said.

SkyPath Trust projects director Bevan Woodward on Sunday told Stuff he appreciated the toll issue was 'up in the air'.

'But we've told NZTA that we think Aucklanders with an AT Hop Card should always go free, they just swipe and go,' he said.

SkyPath would have a width of four metres, with an additional two metres added at six points containing viewing platforms.

'And if you haven't got a Hop Card, which probably means that you're a tourist or a visitor to Auckland, then just over to one side will be a ticket machine, just as simple as a pay and display when you park your car.

'Initially, when we were looking at doing SkyPath as a PPP (public-private-partnership), then we were looking at about $3 each way for a Hop Card user and I think about $7 for someone who didn't have a Hop Card.'

Previously, Woodward said projects similar to SkyPath had been completed overseas, pointing to the Canada Line Bridge.

'There's a bridge in Vancouver where they wanted to provide walking, cycling access and they clipped on a similar width, similar gradient, similar length,' he said in August.

'That's just one example that springs to mind – there are many examples where they have attached a walkway, cycleway onto the side.'

On Sunday, Woodward explained why SkyPath carried 'a lot more cost' than that project, which came in at US$10 million back in 2009.

'Because we've gone to composite, because we've got those landings and those plaza areas, yep there is a lot more cost,' he said.

'Having been to [Canada Line Bridge] the landings at each end are very, very simple … our landings are quite complex just because of the nature of what's underneath at each end.

'Especially at the Northcote Point where you've got roads and residents and so forth – we've had to do our best to ensure their privacy and we've also created quite a plaza area at each end.

'The Canada Line is simply quite functional – just get on the side of the bridge and away you go.'

If SkyPath Trust gets its way, the project will include a raft of security measures including cameras, intercom and patrols.

The path would comprise a four metre-wide shared space with extra two-metre extensions for six observation decks along the route.

By comparison, the Canada Line Bridge shared path had a width of 3.5 metres and was slightly steeper. It had patrols along the pathway, but no other security features.

Auckland's SkyPath would likely close overnight, while the Vancouver example was open 24/7.

Using a composite material had advantages, despite being more expensive, Woodward said.

'It gives us all these advantages in terms of weight-saving, maintenance and because we're attaching to a steel structure then we're not getting issues around corrosion and reactions from different metals,' he said.

'SkyPath itself clips on to the top and the bottom of the … outside edge of the harbour bridge, so that in itself is quite a complex project.'

* The headline on this article has been changed. An earlier headline incorrectly suggested the SkyPath would cost taxpayers millions more than expected.