Media Release

17 August 2007

Heroic view of Harbour Crossing called for

North Shore City is putting its money where its mouth is to ensure cohesive planning for the additional Waitemata Harbour crossing is achieved.

"Joining up with ARTA, ARC, ACC and Transit on a level footing demonstrates regional responsibility for the project. A future crossing is beyond Transit's road building limitations," says North Shore city councillor Chris Darby.

"Transit's initial tunnel preference on the Wynard to Onewa alignment risks becoming a short-sighted 'underwater clip-on' unless a wider view of the long term transport needs of the region is considered. The present bridge is little more than a glorified meccano set assembled by 1950s political compromise. It now shows increasing signs of fatigue and is fast approaching its use by date. We should be bold enough to consider its deconstruction and the building of a memorable and long lasting crossing," Mr Darby says.

"It's critical we design and engineer a future crossing to accommodate conversion of the Northern Busway to light rail for the medium term and then upgrade to heavy rail in the long term to facilitate strategic land use plans. General traffic including priority freight lanes, bus lanes, cycles, pedestrian access and utility supply are in the mix too," he says.

"I envisage a future with clean and efficient rail connecting Britomart to the Shore, linking to the western line via Orewa and across to Helensville. All parties now need to discover the imagination to deliver a heroic vision capable of enduring into the 22nd century," says the North Shore councillor.

ENDS

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