Does anyone – besides Wellington council officers – want another set of traffic lights?

Wednesday, 4 December 2024

Wellington City Council officers are suggesting the City to Sea bridge be replaced by a set of traffic lights, either permanently or temporarily.

Already sporting five sets of traffic lights, Wellington’s Jervois Quay will get its sixth crossing if official advice is followed this week.

Council officers are recommending the City to Sea Bridge be demolished and replaced with a new road crossing in 2026. Councillors are set to decide the bridge’s fate at a meeting on Thursday.

According to feedback, most Wellingtonians favour a footbridge: either retaining the old one or building a new amenity.

Of the 1400 public submissions, more than three-quarters rejected the concept to replace the City to Sea Bridge with just a crossing.

The City to Sea Bridge provides a crossing over Jervois Quay, connecting Civic Square to the waterfront.

After a seismic report found the current bridge to be an earthquake risk, Wellington City Council is proposing to demolish it, prompting outcry.

Both of the council’s proposed replacements feature new pedestrian-priority traffic lights on six-laned Jervois Quay, from 2026.

In one option, the crossing will eventually be joined by a new footbridge over the road. Just over one-third of the public supported the concept.

The council’s second replacement option features a street-level crossing plus a new footbridge.

Once the replacement bridge is built, the crossing could be retained or removed, council officers proposed.

In the second option, supported by 23% of submitters, the new traffic lights are the permanent solution.

The largest share of submitters – 39% – didn’t like either option. Many asked the council to save the 1990s bridge, describing it as a city “icon”.

In addition, more than 100 Wellingtonians voiced their objection to new traffic lights, often arguing it would further slow vehicle traffic on Jervois Quay.

Others, including the AA, said pedestrians such as young children, those with disabilities and elderly people would be safer on a bridge.

The man who oversaw the building of the Wellington bridge is skeptical Wellington City Council's the projected costings.

Councillor Iona Pannett thought the current bridge was far superior to a road crossing.

“It’s a grand entrance onto the waterfront, or into the city. It’s about the experience of walking, not just about the shortest route. That road [Jervois Quay] is really hostile.”

The original designers came up with a great way to connect the heart of the city and the waterfront, she said. “They made it interesting and artistic.”

At Thursday’s meeting, Pannett will attempt to save the City to Sea Bridge, providing time for supporters and council to find a solution.

“While I wouldn’t be strongly opposed to building a new bridge, we’ll never be able to afford it. We have so many other costs.”

Councillor Ray Chung said bridges provide a more comfortable journey: “You can take your time, you’re not concerned about traffic, you can look at the view. It’s much easier.”

The City to Sea Bridge – which has structural issues – features seats and artwork as well as a crossing over Jervois Quay.

Yet he thought a crossing could complement a bridge. “It would probably be best to have both.”

Even so, Chung thought the process was being rushed. Rather than voting on the fate of the bridge this week, he said councillors should be given all relevant reports and information and more time to find the best outcome.

“There’s a lot of time,” he said.

According to official estimates, it will cost $36 million to demolish the City to Sea Bridge and the old Capital E building beneath it, plus construct the crossing. Adding a new bridge would increase the total cost to $49m.

Submitting to the council, Wellingtonians noted that other traffic lights are relatively close to Civic Square.

“There is an existing bridge about 100m away and a pedestrian crossing maybe 200m in the other direction. That is enough,” one person wrote.

A smaller number liked the idea of new traffic lights. “A crossing is better than a bridge, especially if it prioritises foot [and] cycle traffic heavily,” another wrote. “Mentally, the city will feel much more connected to the waterfront.”