Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson wants the Government to bring forward work on a second Waitemat\u0101 crossing, likely to be a tunnel.<\/p>\n
It is understood that the Government is also considering scrapping its $785 million walking and cycling bridge over the harbour.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, Robertson would not confirm that the walking and cycling bridge would definitely be going ahead, only that the bridge was the current proposal.<\/p>\n
When asked whether he would renege on building the bridge, Robertson said “we continually look at the network and the programme to make sure that it works well”.<\/p>\n
“We do want to find ways of connecting the North Shore and the isthmus for people on all different modes of transport – the exact way we do that, we’ve come up with a proposal, and we’re working that through.”<\/p>\n
Robertson would not say whether the bridge would definitely happen, however it was the current proposal.<\/p>\n
“That is the proposal we are working on,” he said.<\/p>\n
The bridge has come under severe criticism since it was announced in June. Criticism has focused on its poor value-for-money and the fact it was announced at the same time as the Government scrapped a host of expensive roads.<\/p>\n
Robertson said he wanted a solution that treated all modes fairly. The current plan for the bridge only serves two modes – walking and cycling. Private vehicles and public transport are not included.<\/p>\n
“What I’m saying is it is a transport network – we need to make sure that all modes get a fair go.”<\/p>\n
He said his personal view was the Government was not talking enough about the work it was doing on the other Auckland harbour crossing, likely to be a tunnel under the harbour.<\/p>\n
Robertson said that “work is under way on the so-called second harbour crossing”, and the Government was doing the “planning and work and looking at the geotechnical issues around that”.<\/p>\n
“I believe it is something that if we can bring forward, we should.”<\/p>\n
The construction on that crossing, which should cost more than $10b, is not scheduled to begin until the 2030s. It could include a rail line and space for private vehicles, although just what the tunnel would carry has not been decided.<\/p>\n
National campaigned on bringing forward a second harbour crossing at the last election.<\/p>\n
Leader Judith Collins agreed it should be brought forward.<\/p>\n
“It’s all about whether or not we have another bridge or a tunnel,” she said.<\/p>\n
“The tunnel is an optimal solution.<\/p>\n
“We’re not in Government at the moment, but I can tell you we will not fund, nor will we deliver on a cycle bridge over the Waitemat\u0101 Harbour.”<\/p>\n