AHB Pathway Trust
www.getacross.org.nz

09 December 2011
Media release

Strong support for harbour bridge pathway design

Aucklanders have given their thumbs up to the concept designs for the AHB Pathway. Over 93% of the feedback received is in favour of the concept design launched by Mayor Len Brown and MP Nikki Kaye in August this year.

Architect Barry Copeland says “It’s marvelous to have strong support for the design as this is such an important project for Auckland if we are serious about opening up our waterfront and transforming the city from its over reliance on the private motor car.”

“The Pathway design also recently received a Cavalier Bremworth design award, so we think we’re onto a good thing.”

Aucklanders have been asked to give their feedback at www.getacross.org.nz. The results [see below for details] also revealed strong support for the proposed observation decks and special effects night lighting.

Project Director Bevan Woodward says “Not only do we want to provide commuter access to the North Shore but we want a high quality Pathway that will attract recreational users and tourists. We expect the Pathway will encourage many overseas visitors to spend an extra day in Auckland and that’s going to deliver significant economic benefits for the region.”

The feedback received also confirms that Aucklanders’ willingness to pay a toll of $2 each way, with 83% in support if the New Zealand Transport Agency will not contribute to the Pathway’s construction cost.

Mr Woodward says “We are now seeking an underwriter of the project. Our forecasting shows that the Pathway will be cashflow positive and we are looking for an underwriter who is willing to allocate some of the dividends to other walking and cycling projects in the region.”

ENDS

Pathway images are available at www.getacross.org.nz under “Downloads”. Credit images to: Copeland Associates Architects

See over for background notes and media contact details.

Background notes

The AHB Pathway Trust has worked closely with NZTA and their bridge consultants Beca, to agree upon an engineering solution for the proposed walking and cycling pathway on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

The concept design was publicly unveiled on Sunday, Aug 21 by Mayor Len Brown and MP Nikki Kaye.

An acceptable pedestrian management system will need to be approved by NZTA to limit the number of pedestrians on the Pathway at any one time. [See Joint Statement (clause 2) issued by NZTA and the Pathway Working Group to Auckland Council on Aug 5, 2011] Such a system of monitoring and controlling of the number of Pathway users was first proposed by NZTA’s AHB consultants Beca [Transit Board paper CS/07/9/5981 dated 28 August 2007, states in clause 14: "However to ensure that the bridge is not overloaded there will need to be some operational practices such as... ....managing the maximum number of people that can enter the cycleway/walkway at a time."].

From a health and safety perspective, it is estimated that no more than 1,000 users would be allowed on the Pathway at any one time [By way of comparison, Auckland’s Sky Tower has a maximum of 850 people at any one time.]. This equates to a throughput of 5,000 people per hour [Conservative throughput is calculated by assuming one third of Pathway users are stationary (eg: sightseeing), whilst one third are walking @ 3km/h and one third are cycling at an average 12km/h.], which is well in excess of the forecast patronage on the Pathway of 1,000 to 3,000 users per day, depending upon the time of year.

The number of Pathway users will be controlled by barrier gates with counting devices and overseen by on-site security personnel and CCTV cameras. The advantage of this system is that we are able to reduce the numbers on the Pathway should traffic loadings on the AHB significantly increase over the next 20 years. For example if the peak loading time of 3 to 4pm on weekdays was becoming a concern, then user numbers during this period could be reduced [For example, a reduced maximum of 800 users at any one time on the Pathway is conservatively estimated to allow a throughput of 4,000 people per hour. ].

The proposed Pathway has been costed by quantity surveyors WT Partnership. In summary the indicative preliminary cost estimates (including contingencies) are:

Pathway and access ramps $17.8M
Bridge additional strengthening $3.8M
Design review costs $1.6M
Observation decks $6.3M
Special effects nigh lighting $1.8M

Total cost, completed as a tolled facility $31.3M

The proposed toll of $2 for HOP/SNAPPER card users (and $5 for cash/credit card/text users) over a 20 year period will fund the Pathway’s construction cost, maintenance and operational expenses.

ENDS

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