LETTERS & EMAILS

HARBOUR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT It is welcome news that the Government will begin public consultation on the options for an enhanced Waitematā crossing this year.

One of the options under consideration is replacing the three structures that currently make up the crossing with one fit for purpose replacement bridge the same height, shape and appearance as the 1959 original and the same width as the 1969 clip-ons.

The replacement technique, in regular use overseas, is to build the new replacement bridge parallel to the existing bridge on temporary piers that are braced to the existing piers - see diagram. Traffic is then closed for a week from the next Boxing Day to allow the motorway approaches and egresses to be aligned to the location of the new bridge allowing traffic to flow on the new bridge in its temporary location.

Over the next 24 months the existing bridge is dismantled and recycled and the piers are given a spruce up and prepared for the replacement bridge to be slid onto them.

Finally, traffic is closed for a week from Boxing Day, the replacement bridge is slid 40 metres west to its permanent location, the approaches and egresses are realigned back to their original positions, and the new 10-lane bridge, with an upper level for active and public transport, is opened.

Total cost to replace the AHB is in the order of $2 billion and replacement would take around five years from the decision being taken to replace.

Dr Charles Clifton, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Auckland has assessed replacing the bridge in the manner described as being “feasible”. With a balanced load on the existing bridge piers, either the current bridge or a replacement, the lifespan of the bridge piers is rated by Waka Kotahi as "indefinite".

The motorways on both sides of the bridge are five lanes each way so the replacement bridge would be built to match that. The replacement is not designed to, and would not increase road traffic capacity through the corridor; it is designed to secure the crossing as the clip-ons are approaching the end of their usefulness for carrying general traffic and to provide for active and public transport.

Will McKenzie, Sandringham VOICE OF COMMUNITY Since the election of the Waitematā Local Board, Keith McConnell and I have attended all their public board meetings. Keith has overviewed their governance from his experienced perspective, and found it lacking.

These elected civil servants seem to have lost their way, forgetting the intention of their position is to represent community in a democratic way. The alternate view has gone. Previously it was expressed by Rob Thomas, an independent member for nine years, and in the first two years of this term by C&R representative, Sarah Trotman. So, it's understandable, since there is no longer a voice of opposition, that Keith has decided to no longer ‘bash his head against this brick wall’ and chosen to head to the bigger ‘cesspool’ of dubious governance by Auckland Council.

Thank you Keith for being a good citizen and your attempts to ensure the voice of community was heard through good governance. It’s been a pleasure working with you.

Gael Baldock, Community Advocate

ANOTHER NAIL IN THE COFFIN OF QUALITY DEMOCRACY IN AUCKLAND CENTRAL Campaigner for good governance, Keith McConnell, has given up trying to educate those elected to Auckland Council's Waitematā Local Board on good governance. For the benefit of our community, he has shone a spotlight on the board's often abysmal leadership and lack of commitment in advocating for constituents.

I'm not surprised he decided the Waitematā Local Board is a lost cause, thus putting his efforts elsewhere, but I am deeply disappointed. Mr McConnell has spent hundreds of hours for the benefit of our community and we owe him thanks for that.

I resigned from the Waitematā Local Board last October because it was the right thing to do. Taking $50,000 a year of ratepayers hard-earned money is an unethical thing to do unless you can impact change. My fellow Waitematā Local Board members lacked even a basic understanding of governance and wilfully disregard the very stakeholders they are elected to serve. It is time they stopped milking ratepayers and started performing to a higher standard of governance, or resign.

Sarah Trotman, ONMZ Advocate for Communities and Residents of Waitematā

THE KARANGAHAPE ROAD CYCLEWAY Gael Baldock foams about what she calls the Karangahape Road cycleway in Emergency Services Vs Cycleways (February 2022). Her targeting is off: Cycleways are only part of the enhancements, which include planting and extended pavements. She alleges bad design and an evil plan to annoy people out of their cars, and seems to believe, without attribution to any source, that emergency services take longer to reach city fires because roads have been narrowed for cycleways.

So much heat, so little light. Here's a solid, incontestable fact instead: Michael Richardson, Manager of the Karangahape Road Business Association, attributes a 25.9 percent increase in customer spending in the July quarter last year to, amongst other things, the K Road street enhancements. The grinches might not like the enhancements, but the businesses of K Road certainly seem to.

Ross Inglis, Parnell