A cross section of the proposed ANZAC Centenary Bridge. Photo / Supplied
The Project Auckland series looks at the challenges facing Auckland as it seeks to become a world-class city.
The ANZAC Centenary Bridge Group has evoked the spectre of the Christchurch earthquake in its quest to have its proposal for a third Waitemata harbour crossing approved instead of the preferred tunnels options.
Group chairman Richard Simpson maintains the bridge would be an "iconic asset" to the new Super City
- a world-class statement that would help define Auckland in the manner that Sydney's Harbour Bridge defines that city or the Tower Bridge defines London.
The preferred option for a new harbour crossing in Auckland is four tunnels that do not compromise plans to redevelop the city's harbour front.
Two of the tunnels will be part of State Highway 1 (northbound and southbound). The other two are for electric trains. The price tag is estimated at between $3.7 bn and $4.1bn. Pedestrians and cyclists would be accommodated on the existing harbour bridge.
But Simpson - who met New Zealand Transport Authority chairman Chris Moller and Auckland regional director Wayne McDonald last week - challenges the ethos behind the preferred options as much more expensive.
"The bridge is a far more resilient structure to have in an earthquake. It would be horrifying to be trapped in a dripping 3km tunnel under the Auckland harbour in a peak hour traffic jam.
"If a tunnel was in the same state of disrepair as the old bridge currently is, you would have windscreen wipers on."
The ANZAC group has proposed a two-tier, multi-modal harbour bridge linking Wynyard Pt (adjacent to the Tank Farm development) and Onewa Rd, replacing the existing bridge.
It argues it will elevate Auckland's profile as an international city and be a celebration of the city's natural and cultural heritage.
The proposed configuration has 10 general traffic lanes, with potentially two dedicated bus and/or heavy traffic lanes, two light rail tracks and purpose-built walking and cycling facilities. Simpson maintains that the most critical issue for Auckland is land efficiency of transport.
"The bridge concept was proposed as an example of a rational project that would never happen under the old governance model and would demand breaking open the silos and a new way of thinking," says Simpson.
"The new bridge challenges Auckland - it demands hospicing old structures of waterfront motorway and a failing old bridge, and midwifing a brand new image for the city."
If the ANZAC Bridge did manage to leapfrog the tunnels project, Simpson believes a redevelopment authority would need to be set up to liaise across the Auckland council controlled organisations and government agencies which would be involved.
