Tamaki Makaurau, (Tamaki of a thousand lovers) needs a new crossing point for her many suitors. Projections of rapid population growth are that an additional one million people will make the city their home over the next 30 years, straining Auckland Harbour Bridge well beyond capacity. The Waitemata Harbour sits at the dynamic centre of the New Zealand economy, with 55 percent of freight moving within the region to the north of Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. A 2009 study of more than 150 options favoured a tunnel route directly across the Waitemata, running between Esmonde Road and the current motorway interchange at Victoria Park. This route will connect with the central motorway junction, the port, southern motorway and an upgraded north-western motorway. The study found that a tunnel would have less environmental, visual and land use impacts on the harbour than a bridge. It was the preferred option of Auckland resident submissions and also received the Prime Minister’s endorsement in a June 2013 announcement. Either two multi-modal double decker tunnels or four single-level tunnels would be necessary and provision for rapid transport included. Another channel would carry water, electricity, gas and telecommunications services. Essential to supporting New Zealand’s economic and social wellbeing, any new crossing won’t come cheap. The estimated project cost is currently $6.9 billion for separate road and rail tunnels. An additional crossing will significantly expand the options for the movement of people and freight across the harbour, easing congestion and improving travel times. Public transport, walking and cycling facilities would all be enhanced. A tunnel would minimise consequences of possible future weight restrictions on the bridge and significantly improve the resilience of transport networks and infrastructure to potential outages. More information and background on the history of additional Waitemata Harbour crossings can be found at: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/awhc/ see History and Technical Reports
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