"Local landowners, community groups and iwi have remained involved in the design of the bridges to get the best outcome possible. They will be big, but beautiful," Ms Watson said.
Auckland mayor Len Brown said the start on the shared path showed the revolution that's happening for Auckland's transport.
"Five years ago we were very car- and motorway-focused but Aucklanders kept telling me they would cycle and walk more if they felt safer and the terrain was more cycle-friendly."
Through the Government's Urban Cycleways Programme, Auckland Council, the NZ Transport Agency and AT are spending $200 million on cycling improvements in Auckland over the next three years.
Watch a video of a fly-over of the path: https://youtu.be/YiqVwa1j-nw
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