~ZTRANSPORTAGENCY

WAKAKOTAHI

Level 11,HSBC House1Queen Street

Private Bag 106602

Auckland 1143

New Zealand

T 64 9 969 9800

F 64 9 969 9813

15 August 2014 www.nzta.govt.nz

George WoodCouncillorAuckland CouncilPrivate Bag 92300Auckland 1142

Dear George

Thank you for your letter of 14 July 2014 to Steve Mutton, Acting Highway Manager, requestingan update on four projects in relation to the Auckland Harbour Bridge. I have provided commenton each of these below.

1. Planning for the Additional Waitemata Harbour Crossing

The next steps will include progressing the Notices of Requirement (NOR) to secure the route forthe additional crossing. This will involve undertaking public consultation, which will includecommunities in Northcote and Takapuna.

2. Management of heavy vehicles on the Auckland Harbour Bridge

The Auckland Harbour Bridge was strengthened in 2011 to allow heavy vehicles to use it. Thereare no restrictions on vehicles up to 44 tonnes.

Since December 2013 high productivity vehicles up to 50 tonnes have been allowed to cross thebridge. We did assess whether that weight limit could be increased to 60 tonnes but it was tooheavy. Vehicles over 50 tonnes must use the State Highway 16jState Highway 18 route.

We have installed cameras and weigh-in motion devices on the two southbound lanes on thebridge and are considering installing more. The NZ Police are working with us to improvecompliance with vehicle weight limits.

3. SkyPath

The NZ Transport Agency is committed to supporting, planning for and delivering wherepossible, safe and high-quality urban pedestrian and cyclist networks. As such, we are preparedto facilitate the arrangements necessary to enable the SkyPath project. This is subject to thesatisfactory conclusion of the technical and operational aspects of the project and the grantingof consents by Auckland Council.

Weare continuing to work with Auckland Council staff and the Auckland Harbour Bridge PathwayTrust to achieve a satisfactory solution to these technical and operational aspects. This includesinvestigating the technical feasibility of the new composite material design for the SkyPathstructure in terms of the long-term structural integrity of the bridge. The assessment will alsodetermine the appropriate maximum number of users (maximum loading) for the new compositedesign. We are funding this investigation and working with Auckland Council on timing to enableCouncil staff to report back on the proposal.

With our input the Auckland Harbour Bridge PathwayTrust will be responsible for undertakingand funding wind tunnel testing in an offshore facility. Once this work is completed the Trustwill be responsible for funding the final detailed technical assessment of the Auckland HarbourBridge structure based on the wind tunnel testing results.

-Sa:fefYand resilience of the Auckland Harbour Bridge is of the utmost importance to theTransport Agency. For this reason we are developing maintenance strategies to ensure thecontinued operation of the bridge indefinitely for the least long-term cost.

4. Western Ring Route

One of the main objectives of the Western Ring Route is to allow goods and services to movesafely and more reliably. This objective influenced the decision to build the corridor adjacent tomajor freight areas.

To support this we have developed a programme to encourage heavy vehicle drivers to use theWestern Ring Route. This includes signage and other communications, and increased priority forfreight movements. At this point we do not have more formal incentives such as regulatorycontrols for alternate routes (such as the Auckland Harbour Bridge) or tolling.

Yours sincerely

Brett GliddonState Highway Manager Auckland and Northland