Board of Inquiry decision on NZTA’s Basin Bridge Proposal

22 July 2014 Press Release by Richard Reid, Director of Richard Reid & Associates

Richard Reid comments on the Board of Inquiry decision on NZTA’s Basin Bridge Proposal:

Our practice is very pleased with the Board of Inquiry’s decision to decline NZTA’s Basin Bridge Project. We are equally pleased that the Board has accepted the evidence we submitted against NZTA’s project on behalf of the Mt Victoria Residents Association and ourselves. Of particular note is the Board’s recognition of our alternative at-grade enhancement of the roundabout (BRREO) which we prepared as part of an integrated and holistic solution for the city.

The Board notes: “We are satisfied the BRREO Option, particularly having regard to the adverse effects we have identified with regard to the Project, is not so suppositional that it is not worthy of consideration as an option to be evaluated” [para 1483]. The Board also stated that “We found that it [BRREO] may nonetheless deliver measurable transport benefits at considerably less cost and considerably less adverse effects on the environment. We bear in mind that BRREO is still at a provisional or indicative stage and could be subject to further adjustment by further analysis.”

Given the Board’s comprehensive dismissal of NZTA’s application, it makes sense that we are given the opportunity to continue to develop BRREO. We look forward to working with NZTA, the Regional and City Councils."

Richard Reid & Associates: For the record, this is the fifth transport infrastructure project our practice has successfully prepared an alternative design for. Four of these projects have been of national importance, and all of these have been alternatives to NZTA's proposals.

We have illustrated a comparison between BRREO and NZTA’s flyover in the above attachment. Richard Reid & Associates’ BRREO design can be viewed on our practice website at: http://richardreid.co.nz/project.php?aid=75

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