Northcote residents see a bridge too far

By STUART DYE transport reporter

Angry residents will today attempt to hijack a council meeting in a bid to air their views about a third crossing of Waitemata Harbour to link Auckland and North Shore cities.

Homeowners from Northcote Pt say they have been ignored in the proposal process for a controversial third harbour crossing.

Transit New Zealand, which will report to the regional land transport committee tomorrow, maintains all it has done is a feasibility study.

It will go on to consultation once a definite plan is agreed on by the region's decision-makers.

But Transit has already narrowed the options down to two possibilities - a new bridge 500m west of the existing bridge, or a tunnel under the harbour to the east.

Northcote Pt residents say their lives are on hold while there is so much uncertainty. At today's meeting they will present a petition signed by about 1000 people asking that the bridge option be rejected.

The proposal is for a cut and cover tunnel which would dissect Northcote Pt, say residents.

Gay Greenwood, who is leading the protest, said: "This is not a [not in my back yard] attitude. We already have a bridge in our back yard. There's a sense of injustice that we should have another one."

Ms Greenwood said there was evidence that property deals had fallen through because of the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Point.

She said many people had a sense of distrust of the political process because they had heard nothing about the plans until they read it in the Herald.

"There are a lot of angry people. We want the chance to have our say and get our point across," Ms Greenwood said.

The crossing options were unveiled a month ago.

The proposed bridge would have six main lanes, two of them dedicated passenger transport lanes that could accommodate either buses or trains. It would also have walking and cycling lanes.

On the North Shore, a viaduct and short tunnel would connect the Northern Motorway and the bridge at Northcote Pt.

At the southern end, the bridge would link to a tunnel running under Ponsonby to the Northwestern Motorway at Western Springs.

The harbour tunnel would be an immersed tube between the Northern Motorway east of the present harbour bridge and Wynyard Wharf. It would link with cut-and-cover tunnels southbound to Halsey St and northbound to Beaumont St.

A report to the regional land transport committee is recommending more investigative work.

Engineers and planners should look at the project in relation to the proposed eastern highway and State Highway 20 Avondale extension, and consider alternatives.

Land transport committee chairwoman Catherine Harland said it was not yet decision time. The committee would focus on gathering more information before seeking public opinions.