A new, wider design has been announced for a walking and cycling path on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, and construction could start as early as 2020.
The NZTA announced on Wednesday it has a new preferred option for the shared path on the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
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The path will be five-metres-wide and will feature three viewing platforms between Westhaven and Northcote Point.
"We know Aucklanders want to cross the harbour on foot and by bike as quickly as possible and the NZTA has been working hard to develop a design that meets the future demands of all bridge users, is affordable and preserves the structural integrity of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, " NZTA GM of system design and delivery Brent Gliddon said.
The new design is wider than previous options, which the NZTA says will allow for other modes of transport to use the bridge.
E-scooters, which use the footpath, have greatly increased in popularity since the path was initially granted Government funding in August 2018.
It will also be attached to the bridge piers and will not have any restrictions on how many people can use it at one time.
Bike Auckland celebrated the announcement and said the new addition needs to be built soon.
"Today, at long last, the Transport Agency is demonstrating to the public that it has the capacity to add a walking and cycling path to the Harbour Bridge.
"This can't come soon enough for the people of Auckland and the millions of tourists who delight in our city's spectacular harbour and volcanic skyline."
A spokesperson for the NZTA could not tell Newshub exactly when construction would begin, only that it could start as early as 2020.
North Shore ward councillors Chris Darby and Richard Hills said they were also pleased with the news, after more than a decade of asking for the path to be built.
"It's been 12 long years for me, steering this project towards fruition, so I'm relieved to see genuine progress being made," Darby said.
"The walking and cycleway over the Harbour Bridge will be a beacon for biking, a call to Aucklanders to get active and get connected. It will be a 'what took you so long' success story."
Newshub.
