Summarised by Centrist
A report to Auckland Council’s transport committee has recommended that councillors do not support the previous Labour government’s plan for a second harbour crossing in Auckland.
The proposed tunnelled crossing, estimated to cost about $56 billion, lacks support from the Ministry of Transport and Auckland Transport. The Labour government’s plan involved three tunnels across Waitematā Harbour, including two for vehicles and one for light rail.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is sceptical about the project’s feasibility and timeline. The new report, authored by the council’s principal transport advisor Elise Webster, notes the project’s high cost and raises concerns about its value for money.
In the meantime, council staff have suggested pursuing smaller, earlier improvements, such as enhancing bus and cycleways and improving connections between bus stations and ferry terminals. These initiatives could offer immediate benefits without limiting future options for the Waitematā Harbour Connections project.
