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

Friday, 14 July 2017

The SkyPath cycle and walkway could be funded through a Government urban cycleway scheme.

A walking and cycling route over Auckland's Harbour Bridge could be toll-free for Aucklanders.

SkyPath project director Bevan Woodward said on Friday the $34 million route could be delivered at no cost to Auckland ratepayers through Government funding.

SkyPath trustee and project director Bevan Woodward said the Government's willingness to consider fully funding SkyPath was extremely positive for Aucklanders.

The development comes after a series of setbacks since the project got resource consent last November, including major partner Downer Group withdrawing from the public-private partnership (PPP) earlier this year.

Downer left the PPP with Auckland Council and the SkyPath Trust, saying it was 'too small and unique' to work.

Since the Harbour Bridge opened in 1959, pedestrians and cyclists have only been able to cross it during special events like Bike the Bridge.

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The SkyPath Trust announced this week it was also withdrawing from the PPP agreement.

Woodward said he had met with Transport Minister Simon Bridges in March, who was 'very much affirming the Government's willingness to fund the project'.

While Bridges wanted to see if the PPP could still be made to work, Woodward said he was 'reassured' when the Minister advised he could fund SkyPath in the next tranche of the Government's Urban Cycleway Programme funding.

'He was very supportive, he said he saw it as a missing link.'

A spokesman for Bridges said the Government had not agreed 'at this time' to fully fund the project.

'If the project is technically feasible and is supported by sound business case it could be considered for funding as part of a future Urban Cycleway Programme,' he said.

The next funding tranche would become available on July 1, 2018.

But there was still some work to do before that stage, Woodward said.

The group was still waiting on detailed design work to be done before seeking construction funding.

While there has been no progress in that area yet, Woodward said the Minister's suggestion the SkyPath could be fully funded was a step in the right direction.

'It's very positive for Aucklanders.'

North Shore councillor Richard Hills said the Government potentially funding SkyPath was 'great news'.

'Ultimately a toll-free option funded by Government would be the best news for Aucklanders', particularly North Shore residents, he said.

It was a 'crucial project' that the Government should put its money behind.

'Many people have been campaigning for this even before I was born. People want to get out of their cars, let's give them the option.'

The proposed PPP approach, which the Trust withdrew from this week, would mean 25 years of tolling SkyPath users, and annual revenue underwritten by Auckland Council.

The PPP would see costs of about $248m over 25 years, to pay for construction, operations, maintenance and profit costs, Woodward said.

Under the PPP, HOP card users were to have free access, while those without, including visitors to Auckland, would pay a fee.

SkyPath will connect to the $34m SeaPath cycleway along the motorway to Esmonde Rd and Takapuna. That part of the route was expected to be funded by the New Zealand Transport Agency.

An independent study approved by Auckland Council showed estimates of more than 700,000 SkyPath trips in its first year, reaching 1.2m trips a year within five years.