PM Chris Hipkins reveals 'bold plan' to have second Auckland Harbour crossing with road tunnels, light rail

The Government has revealed an ambitious $45 billion plan to have two road tunnels and a light rail tunnel across Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, Transport Minister David Parker and Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni presented a plan that would see two 5-6km, three-lane tunnels, one in each direction, for cars and trucks between the central Auckland motorway junction and Akoranga on the North Shore.

A 21km light rail tunnel would also be built between Albany and the Wynyard Quarter, passing through Takapuna and Belmont.

The construction would start in 2029.

As the tunnels were built, it would allow turning some lanes on the existing Auckland Harbour Bridge into dedicated bus and cycle lanes, and walkways.

While four lanes would remain open for general traffic, two lanes would turn into dedicated bus lanes to extend the Northern Busway to the CBD, and some clip-on lanes would become cycling and walkways. An elevated walkway would be built above the cycle lanes to provide separate lane to pedestrians.

This will also allow significant maintenance upgrades to the existing bridge and SH1 to be raised to protect it from sea level rise inundation.

Hipkins said it was a bold plan for Auckland’s future that would deliver a modern transport network that will connect all parts of the city.

“This is going to take many years, and it will be into next decade before we see it.

“Under this proposal the network will become joined up, allowing Aucklanders to travel from the north to the south, east and west on public transport - freeing up room on the existing Harbour Bridge and in the new road tunnel for those who want to drive.”

Hipkins said the projects would be funded over long periods of time.

“All options are still on table... We are leaving toll on the table too.”

Parker said the plan would provide for extension of the Northern Busway across the bridge into the city centre.

“The twin-tunnel connection would allow the busway to be extended across dedicated lanes on the Harbour Bridge into the CBD. This is essential to maximising the value of other important investments such as City Rail Link currently under construction."

Parker said the Government was instructing Waka Kotahi to speed up work to protect the route and acquire land along the emerging preferred option corridors.

“Much of the land is already owned by the Crown. Securing remaining land is important for all future options. The draft Government Policy Statement of Transport to be released in the coming weeks will prioritise and fund this.”

Waka Kotahi’s general manager transport services Brett Gliddon said Waka Kotahi said a large number of Aucklanders were consulted for the plan.

“[The consultation saw] great support for improved public transport, and [building] vehicle connection across the harbour.”

Waka Kotahi estimated public transport travel times from Takapuna into the city would be improved by 20% under this plan, and from Albany to the CBD by 21%. By 2051 it would increase public transport harbour crossings by 275%.

Hipkins said in March the second harbour crossing would make the lives of Aucklanders easier and would build resilience into the city’s transport system.

Waka Kotahi said the indicative cost for the full plan total $35 billion to $44.5b. While the two road tunnels are expected to cost $12-15b and the light rail tunnel from Takapuna to the CBD will cost $11b and up to $16b from Takapuna to Albany.

Breakdown of costs

The five scenarios that were given by Waka Kotahi for an additional Waitematā Harbour crossing:

Scenario 1: A new light rail tunnel across the harbour, through Devonport and Takapuna, with a road tunnel to the east of the existing harbour bridge.

Scenario 2: A new bridge next to the existing bridge for light rail, walking, cycling and three general traffic lanes.

Scenario 3: A new light rail tunnel to the west, curving through Northcote Point before hitting Takapuna, alongside a new road, walking and cycling bridge between Westhaven and Sulphur Beach.

Scenario 4: A new light rail, walking and cycling bridge, with a road tunnel between the central motorway junction and Akoranga Drive.

Scenario 5: A new bridge for light rail, walking and cycling and a road tunnel between the central motorway junction and Akoranga Drive.