INVESTMENT & DELIVERY
COMMITTEE PAPER
Northern Pathway Rescope Update
In confidence
Meeting Date
1 March 2022
ELT Sponsor
Brett Gliddon, General Manager Transport Services
1982
Prepared By
Norman Collier, Project Director
Legal Reviewer
Susannah Sharpe, General Counsel Environment and Property ACT
Version
Final
Date
22 February 2022
Pages
5 + 2 At achments
Purpose
INFORMATION
This paper seeks Board endorsement of the preferred options for the walking and cycling crossing
of the Waitematā and the North Shore Northern Pathway.
Recommendations
It is recommended the Committee recommends the Board:
OFFICIAL
•
Endorses presenting a ferry from Wynyard to Sulphur Beach as the preferred interim
walking and cycling option for crossing the Waitematā to the Joint Ministers.
THE
•
Endorses presenting the walking and cycling connection from Wynyard to Akoranga to the
Joint Ministers.
•
Endorses adding a walking and cycling connection from Akoranga to Constellation Drive for
Joint Minister consideration.
•
Notes this interim solution (~15-20 years) is future proofed for the envisaged permanent
UNDER
long-term solution.
•
Notes the cost, timing and implementation considerations with the preferred new scope.
•
Notes that scope development is at the high level feasibility stage and the confirmation of
core assumptions is in progress.
Strategic relevance
RELEASED
The Waitematā crossing is a critical missing walking and cycling link between the CBD and North
Shore. The proposed scope from Wynyard to Constellation forms the backbone of walking and
cycling for local and wider connections. This will provide active mode travel choice across the
Waitematā (prior to the long term Waitematā crossing) and maximise catchments in close proximity
to the employment opportunities and dense residential development of the CBD.
This project will unlock the benefits of extensive active mode investment already made by Waka
Kotahi and Auckland Transport (AT) on either side of the harbour, including the recent Northern
Corridor Improvement Project which is isolated and currently does not connect to a wider active
mode network. The shared path is futureproofed and aligns with the Additional Waitematā Harbour
Connections strategy.
Background
The Waka Kotahi preferred option for walking and cycling across the Waitematā was a standalone
bridge. The Minister of Transport requested consideration of a more affordable interim option (~15 -
20 years) prior to the completion of a new Waitematā Crossing.
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This tranche of work commenced in October 2021 with the business case due for completion in July
2022. The business case is focused on identifying an interim connection over the Waitematā and
the associated land side infrastructure to support this connection. The preferred option wil be
ACT
presented to the Minister in March 2022.
The project is currently at the high-level feasibility stage, with no confirmed design or on-site
investigations having been completed. While this paper presents an emerging preferred option,
there are many challenges to work with, including supply constraints, building new structures, and
consenting, all of which could impact the final preferred option, cost and programme of delivery.
Key Issues
Waitematā connection
INFORMATION
Ten options were shortlisted consisting of three modal types: Ferry, Bus or Lane Reallocation on the
Auckland Harbour Bridge. Al options included the Northern Pathway active mode connection from
Sulphur Beach to Akoranga. A summary of the options considered is in At achment 1.
Figure 1 Short listed options
OFFICIAL
THE
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RELEASED
A range of technical work was undertaken to explore the feasibility, advantages and disadvantages
of each option.
Hui held with iwi leaders to understand each option confirmed a clear preference for a ferry option
between Sulphur Beach and Wynyard. This option was also agreed with Eke Panuku (the council-
controlled organisation that delivers urban regeneration).
A wider stakeholder group has been engaged throughout the process with participation at key
stages including the long listing, short listing and preferred option workshops.
s 9(2)(f)(iv)
ACT 1982
On balance, the recommended option for further consideration in a business case for the Waitematā
crossing is a ferry option (as shown in Figure 2), consisting of two sections:
• Section 1: Dedicated walking and cycling ferry from Wynyard Quarter to Sulphur Beach
INFORMATION
• Section 2: A 4m wide shared user path from Sulphur Beach to Akoranga (Seapath)
s 9(2)(f)(iv)
Northern Pathway Scope
Figure 2 Integration of Northern Pathway with
wider strategic network
There is a significant
additional unlocking
opportunity with the inclusion of the Northern
Pathway Section 3. Akoranga to Constellation is
already highlighted as a key priority in the Auckland
RLTP (refer to Figure 2). This is section is not
currently within the scope of the ‘new’ Northern
Pathway identified by the Joint Ministers and would
need to be presented as recommended additional
scope.
s 9(2)(f)(iv)
RELEASED UNDER THE OFFICIAL
1982
ACT
INFORMATION
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s 9(2)(f)(iv)
1982
ACT
Next Steps
Next steps include:
• Technical development and research.
• Operational (fare and funding) options confirmed with AT.
• Implementation planning options.
INFORMATION
• Joint Ministers briefing - 31 March 2022.
• Completion of Business Case – June 2022.
Attachments
Attachment 1 Summary of options assessment
OFFICIAL
Attachment 2 NZUP Governance Group - New Northern Pathway Update FINAL
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