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In a recently published column, the Auckland leader has revealed a plan to use the naturally existing lava flow at Meola Reef to support a new Waitematā Harbour crossing that would link across the water at Kauri Pt.
A local North Shore leader has said it is good the mayor was “thinking outside the box” but he “definitely” did not agree with the proposed plan.
In an opinion piece in the Sunday Star Times, Brown said the new proposed bridge would cost a fraction of the price of the tunnel.
“The bridge would be less than 8% of the tunnel cost, and the land sales would cover that cost, so there’s a challenge to the bureaucrats: a free bridge to a new area that will reduce pressure on the existing route or a ridiculously expensive tunnel that won’t reduce congestion at all.”
He claimed the existing bridge does not cause congestion; instead it is in the roads surrounding the bridge. Brown claimed that because the new bridge would have entry and exit points in separate areas, it would be the key to reducing congestion.
North Shore councillor Richard Hills said it was good the mayor was looking “outside the box”.
However, Hills added: “We agree on a lot but definitely not on this.
“He does bring up a good point that we need to be considering far more affordable options for future crossings across the harbour.”
Councillor Richard Hills said he liked Wayne Brown's creativity, but he did not think the bridge would get consented. Photo / Alexia Russell
Hills said the option would be “impossible to consent” due to the environmental implications of the project, given it would be crossing over Meola Reef.
He also said there would have to be extensive consultations with local iwi due to the encroachment on historical reserves like Kauri Point.
“Why can’t we have more ferries? Surely we have the opportunity to make use of our harbour city like Sydney does.
“We are so boring when it comes to our city planning.”
Alexander said as our population continued to grow, we needed more innovative thinking.
What problems will this plan solve for Auckland?
During the election, National campaigned on the importance of a second crossing for Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour to reduce congestion, provide additional options for commuters on both sides of the harbour and address capacity pressures on the ageing Auckland Harbour Bridge.
National anticipated starting work on a new crossing by the end of the decade that, at a minimum, would provide more road connections between the North Shore and the CBD.
AA Auckland spokesman Martin Glynn said: “It’s really important to look at all our options as this is such a big call to make. What reasons or problems will this plan from Wayne actually solve?”
Glynn said he understands the new bridge plan will likely involve a potential toll charge.
The tunnel plan would positively free up space on the harbour bridge for public transport options such as buses, Glynn said.
He said that the “mayor is right the tunnel won’t help with traffic, it won’t reduce congestion at all”.
The current resilience of the bridge in high winds needs to be addressed as we look into the near future, he said.
“The motorway on the North Shore side will need to be raised due to climate change and rising sea levels, it is high maintenance and we need to sort something.”