Collins slams bridge plan

News of a second harbour bridge in Auckland is a kick in the teeth considering other projects have been cancelled, National Party leader Judith Collins says.

The Government yesterday confirmed it wanted to build a new bridge for cyclists and walkers next to the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Collins said the Government had recently cancelled and delayed projects including at Mill Rd, the train station and the motorway widening near Drury where a large residential expansion is expected to be built, and the rail link to the airport.

She said the “most ridiculous decisions” were going on that seem to have nothing to do with economic growth. “It’s a nice-to-have.”

A new replacement bridge that was strong and widened for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists would “only cost $2 billion”, Collins said.

Transport Minister Michael Wood said geotechnical investigations and testing had found adding a structure to the existing bridge wasn’t feasible.

“We need this transport connection to move ahead but it isn’t technically possible to attach it to the existing bridge without putting the whole structure at risk.”

A stand-alone structure was safer, not only giving a walking and cycling option for commuters but creating “an outstanding piece of tourism infrastructure”, he said.

The bridge was expected to cost about $685 million plus a further $100m for the land section of the route. About 5000 people a day were expected to use it.

The Government planned to follow it with a tunnel for vehicles.

Mayor Phil Goff said the bridge was a sustainable, enduring project that would last for generations.