The New Zealand Transport Agency has shortlisted two teams for the design and construction of the proposed Northern Pathway harbour bridge.
The Northern Pathway harbour bridge project, which is being developed in phases, is intended to provide a dedicated walking and cycling link between Auckland’s City Centre and the North Shore.
The two shortlisted teams include Fulton Hogan/HEB/Aurecon/Freyssinet as well as McConnell Dowell/Arup/Rizzani de Eccher.
A total of NZ$360m ($227.8m) is planned to be invested by the New Zealand Government in the first section of the Northern Pathway over the Waitematā Harbour between Westhaven and Akoranga.
Transport Agency project delivery senior manager Andy Thackwray said: “Both teams consist of a combination of designers and contractors with experience working on the design and delivery of complex steel girder and concrete bridge projects.
“We’re very excited by what we have seen so far from the two teams. They bring New Zealand and international experience which is just what we need for a project of this scale and complexity.”
Competing to be selected as the preferred partner, the shortlisted teams will prepare proposals for the detailed design and construction of the cross-harbour section of the walking and cycling connection.
Thackwray added: “Early contractor involvement while undertaking the design will help us move forward quickly with this project, as the design can be developed with input from the construction team to ensure the best option is designed, and then built.”
Construction on the project is expected to commence in 2021 and will be completed in two and a half years period.
The 5km section of the Northern Pathway between Westhaven and Akoranga was previously known as SkyPath/Auckland Harbour Bridge Shared Path and SeaPath. The two components have been combined for the delivery of the Northern Pathway.