SkyPath is go: resource consent granted

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The span of the SkyPath across the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Image: Reset Urban

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Northern landing of the SkyPath. Image: Reset Urban

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One of several of the SkyPath observation decks. Image: Reset Urban

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Aerial view of the Northcote Point northern landing. Image: Reset Urban

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Southern landing at Westhaven, SkyPath. Image: Reset Urban

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Auckland’s Harbour Bridge cycleway and walkway from the North Shore to Westhaven has been approved by the Auckland Council on the morning of Friday 3 July. The wheels are now set in motion for the further design and construction of the much-debated link in the walking and cycling transport network in the city.

While drawing criticism from residential groups at both ends of the bridge, who are mainly concerned with parking and similiar adverse impacts, the $33 million public-private partnership scheme has, on the whole, been lauded as a vital link in the city’s cycle/walking network.

The resource consent application was submitted to Auckland Council in August 2014 by the Auckland Harbour Bridge Pathway Trust. SkyPath director Bevan Woodward has worked tirelessly for the last 11 years on the project, never losing faith in the campaign.

The application received 11, 586 submissions with 11, 413 in support, five neutral and 168 in opposition.

Garth Falconer, whose company Reset Urban is the multi-disciplinary design team for SkyPath, commented, “I would like to thank all those who supported the submission, and also thank you to Generation Zero for their vital input.”

Now consent has been granted, the next steps for the project include a period of between 6 to 8 months of detailed design with contracting partner Downer. Falconer states: “We will be undertaking rigorous testing and further developments of this complex design.”

“At the same time, we will be undertaking an engineering review of the proposal. The NZTA and their consultants will be part of the process here. We plan on making a 1:1 module of a part of the project up in Warkworth and transporting it down to Auckland to put it into place.”

He continued, “We will also be working with artists Caroline Robinson and Martin Leung-Wai, and iwi artists Reuben Kirkwood and Katz Maihi to develop artwork for the SkyPath northern and southern landings.”

If there are no delays and all runs smoothly with design, planning and construction, the SkyPath could potentially be open to the public end of 2016 or early 2017.

“In terms of being a community intiative, this has emboldened us, showing that each of us can in fact make a big change,” Falconer commented. “The SkyPath will help us further enjoy our city, it will be an amazing development for Auckland and make us more proud of the city we live in.”

More information regarding the project can be found on the SkyPath website.