Regional director Wayne McDonald said the agency was managing the operation and maintenance of the bridge to ensure its future viability while also preparing for the day when the bridge alone can no longer meet the city's needs.
NZTA's board has approved US$29.6 million in additional funding to complete strengthening work on the box girders supporting the bridge's outer lanes. It has also lodged notices today that will protect the route for an additional harbour crossing. The notices protect four separate tunnel routes, two each for road and rail. Mr McDonald said that protecting the route for a tunnel did not preclude consideration of a new bridge as an alternate crossing, but it was important to protect the underground route now from future development.
The additional funding for the strengthening comes on top of an initial investment of US$32.5 million approved last year. It is needed as the project will require 43% more steel than originally estimated, and the complexity of the work has required more labour hours than anticipated.
