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.

John Reeves from the Public Transport Users' Association and Professor John Tookey, professor of Construction Management at AUT, joined Simon Barnett and James Daniels to discuss the five proposed options.

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