Construction on a second Waitematā harbour crossing will begin in 2029, the Government announced this morning as it unveiled five options: tunnels, bridges or a combination of both.

The Government also confirmed that for the first time, there will be a regular walking and cycling connection across the harbour.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told media at the announcement this morning that “the second harbour crossing has just become real”

And he says the massive infrastructure mission would “become the backbone of a modern, integrated transport system that can compare with the best city transport networks anywhere in the world”.

Transport Minister Michael Wood announced how the new crossing will plug into the Government’s light rail line, which is also in train.

 “Aucklanders and businesses have made it clear that the biggest barriers to the success of Auckland is persistent congestion and after years of inaction by the previous government we are on track to fix it,” Wood said.

“We want an unclogged, connected and future-proofed transport network so Aucklanders can get to work on time, and don’t need to wake up earlier just to get their kids to school - it’s vital that we have a harbour crossing that works for the city,” he said.

“Each scenario includes a new walking and cycling link across Te Waitematā, a new light rail link that will connect to Auckland Light Rail in the city centre, and will build generations of resilience into State Highway One for private vehicles and freight,” Wood said.

Transport Minister Michael Woods and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins in front of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Photo / Michael Craig

The first of the five options has tunnels for light rail and road traffic, and allocates parts of the existing harbour bridge for buses and traffic. Both tunnels would run to the east of the existing bridge.

The second is a new bridge for light rail, walking and cycling, which would run parallel to the existing bridge.

The third is a tunnel for light rail and a new bridge for traffic, walking, and cycling. The tunnel would be west of the existing bridge.

The fourth option is a new light rail, walking and cycling bridge and a road tunnel that would run to the east.

The fifth option is a new light rail, walking, and cycling bridge and a new road tunnel, again running to the east of the existing structure.

“Through the Government’s investment, we are building a linked-up rapid transit network across the city, to provide faster, safer, low-carbon travel. This connection, with light rail at its heart, is key to delivering this vision,” Wood said.

“Rapid transit already delivers tens of millions of journeys across Auckland every year through the heavy rail network and the Northern Busway, but we know that we have to keep investing to build the fully integrated, linked-up network we need for a modern, connected region.”

The Government is looking for feedback on the plans and will confirm the preferred option in June of this year.

Scenario 1: New light rail tunnel (red line east), road tunnel and walking and cycling on the old Auckland Harbour Bridge.

 

Scenario 2: New light rail, road and walking and cycling bridge.

Scenario 3: New light rail tunnel (red line west of the old bridge), new road and walking and cycling bridge.

Scenario 4: New light rail, walking and cycling bridge and road tunnel.

Scenario 5: New light rail, walking and cycling bridge and road tunnel.

Hipkins said it was important to get on with the decision “and make it happen”.

“Shovels will be in the ground within the next six years which is at least 11 years ahead than what was previously planned,” said Hipkins.

He said parts of the project could be delivered within the next decade.

“It’s time to convert the long-awaited dream of a second harbour crossing into a reality,” said Hipkins.

He described it as an “exciting” time for Auckland saying for too long residents, businesses and visitors had to manage with a transport infrastructure that didn’t do it justice.

He said the fact that we were still talking about a second crossing showed inertia had won out at the expensive of progress and quality of life.

Wood added at a press conference on the Auckland waterfront, the Government was considering all five options and had not made a decision

“We want to hear from Aucklanders,” he said.

“We know as part of this project we need to cater for all modes.”

Cycling, walking and rapid transit were important to help reduce carbon emissions, he said.

“People will be able to have their say from Manukau to Warkworth,” he said.

Act party reacts: Asks if reveal is “an opportunistic distraction’ for Government

Soon after the official Government announcement, Act party leader David Seymour challenged PM Chris Hipkins to show what had changed that could see the fast-tracking of a second harbour crossing as a “realistic proposal”.

Otherwise, he said today’s plans “just seem like an opportunistic distraction from the many issues within his Government”.

Act leader David Seymour claims the Government's announcement today is opportunistic to distract from issues facing it. New Zealand Herald photograph by Marty Melville

“No one will deny another crossing over the Auckland Harbour would be a great thing. But what have they done to make an early crossing possible other than wishing? When did they start working on this change? If it it’s possible, why didn’t they do it earlier?,” Seymour asked.

“Hipkins appears to be taking a leaf from the Ardern playbook, making ad-hoc populist infrastructure decisions in the leadup to an election.

“Remember Auckland Light Rail? The Government has spent five years trying to figure out how to make a political promise from Jacinda Ardern work. In the process money and resources has been moved away from road building, projects have been cancelled, rescoped and deferred, fuel taxes increased, and regions neglected.”

Seymour said New Zealand couldn’t afford to have infrastructure “used as a political football”.

“The long-term nature of these plans will insulate infrastructure from political pressures,” he said.

“Infrastructure, with its very long time horizons, is unsuited to decision-making by politicians beset by three-year tunnel vision. By setting plans decades in advance, we can avoid the on-again, off-again uncertainty created by the political cycle which deters councils and private infrastructure investors from undertaking ambitious projects.

“Politicians – left and right – have chosen where to build roads, bridges, and railway lines, based on political advantage rather than economic need. New Zealanders deserve better than this uncertainty.”

National: Claims harbour announcement rushed and desperate attempt to distract

National Party Transport spokesman Simeon Brown has taken aim at the Government’s announcement today, claiming it was little more than a desperate attempt to “distract from their failures”.

Brown stressed National fully supported a second harbour crossing in Auckland.

National's Simeon Brown has questioned the Government's ability to deliver a second harbour crossing. Photo / Angus Dreaver

But after well-publicised issues with other Government infrastructure projects, he questioned its “ability to deliver given their track record”.

“Labour has failed to start and complete one single major infrastructure project since they have been in government,” Brown said.

“They started then cancelled the Auckland Cycle Bridge. They promised Auckland Light Rail by 2021 but have yet to deliver a single metre of track. They promised 100,000 KiwiBuild homes and have delivered just over 2000.”

Brown said that “projects delivered are much more important than projects announced”.

“National is the party of infrastructure. In Auckland, we delivered the Waterview Tunnel, upgraded the North-Western and South-Western motorways, electrified the Auckland Rail Network, and left Labour with a pipeline of Auckland infrastructure projects which they haven’t completed including; the City Rail Link, State Highway upgrades, the Eastern busway, the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway connection.”

Supply chain industry reacts

National Road Carriers say they are pleased to see progress being made over a second crossing.

Chief executive Justin Tighe-Umbers said the need for an additional harbour crossing was identified decades ago.

And he said the vulnerability of the Auckland Harbour Bridge to closure due to weather has made the need for action even more urgent.

“Setting a clear timeframe is a positive step in ensuring this vulnerability in the network is resolved,” Tighe-Umbers said.

“It is pleasing to see the Government has acknowledged that any alternative must include greater provision for goods, services and freight that will allow the region to cope with the expected increased freight.

“National Road Carriers urges all parties to commit to this timeline so construction can start as soon as possible.”

Green Party: Rail-only option best way to go

The Green Party says rapid transit for the Wharbour crossing must be the priority - not an infrastructure project featuring more car lanes that it claims will lead to congestion and climate change worse.

“Now is the time to be building climate-resilient, affordable, inclusive communities with clean and reliable transport connections at their heart. The options released today are extremely disappointing,” Julie Anne Genter, Green Party spokesperson for transport, said.

“The Government must prioritise climate action for any second crossing, as well as expanding rapid transit across the city.

“It is crucial that the Government gives people the tools they need to access reliable, affordable, low-carbon alternatives to cars.

“None of the options presented today would cut climate pollution or car congestion across our transport networks in Auckland. In fact, they will likely make both worse.”

Genter said transport was Auckland’s largest source of carbon emissions.