Four years in the making, at a cost of $7.5million, Auckland’s Harbour Bridge was opened in 1959.
It quickly became evident it could not cope with the volume of traffic and 10 years later the “clip-ons” were added at a cost close to the entire cost of the original bridge. Initially a toll bridge, the bridge was paid for by government-backed loans. The clip-ons had an expected life span of 50 years.
In 1987 cracks in the clip-ons required major repairs.
In 2007 a $43m maintenance programme on the clip-ons was brought forward.
In 2009 a further $41m was committed to the upgrade.
On 4 July 2018 I wrote to both Auckland Council and New Zealand Transport Agency
“It is my understanding that the Harbour Bridge clip-ons had a 50-year life span and are due to be replaced within the next couple of years.
- What provisions have been made for their replacement?
- What is the estimated cost?
- How will this be funded?”
On 12 July NZTA advised me
“Thank you for getting in touch with questions related to the AHB clip-on. Your query was also received by the OIA office so we will be providing a formal response to you via the OIA response team in the next week.”
I will comment on the response when I get it as well as comment on ownership.
Accountability in Auckland Council 