Auckland Council’s Governing Body, in New Zealand, has deferred the decision-making on the public-private partnership to progress the SkyPath project until the Finance and Performance Committee's meeting, which will be held on June 16, 2016.
According to Auckland Council, this is to ensure that as much information as possible will be available on the public agenda for more transparent decision making, while maintaining confidentially around the commercial terms.
Auckland Council gave the green light to the SkyPath cycleway and walkway PPP project in July 2015, however the decision to grant was appealed by three parties and is currently progressing through the Environment Court process.
SkyPath is a transformational project to provide a shared path along the city side of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. It will be an attractive, semi-enclosed facility that will appeal to recreational users and visitors as well as commuters. Combined with 'SeaPath' to the north and the Westhaven Promenade to the south, SkyPath will link the communities of Auckland.
It is proposed to be 4m wide (and 6m wide at the five viewing platforms) and fixed to the eastern clip-on lane of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
The SkyPath's estimated cost of A$33.5 million (US$24.8 million) includes observation decks, access ramps, bridge strengthening works, lighting and a contingency sum of US$4 million.