A concept image of the approved floating pontoon in Wynyard Quarter, Auckland. Photo: Supplied / Eke Panuku
A floating pontoon has been approved in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour while the Wynyard crossing bridge undergoes repairs.
The bridge has been stuck in an upright position since March, cutting off a key pedestrian link to Wynyard Quarter businesses while it awaits repairs.
Without the bridge, a five-minute walk to Wynyard Quarter turned into an about 15-minute detour.
A passenger ferry has been transporting people back and forth every 15 minutes during daylight hours for the past few months, but it does not have the same capacity as the bridge.
The board of Eke Panuku, a council controlled organisation, has approved the design and installation of a temporary water-level pontoon, providing a walkway between Te Wera Island and the Karanga Plaza Tidal Steps.
The passenger ferry will continue for the next 12 weeks while the pontoon is built, and from there, it will remain in place until the bridge returns to full operation at the end of the year.
Eke Panuku chairperson Paul Majurey said the pontoon was best suited to provide a vital lifeline of access for business and residents.
"While we have tried other measures, they have not been able to provide the pedestrian access the Wynyard Quarter businesses and residents need. The temporary pontoon will go a long way to meet the traffic demand."
The pontoon would remain in place if there were delays to the bridge repairs, Majurey said.
Wynyard Quarter. Photo: RNZ
An earlier proposed pontoon was labelled as not viable because of health and safety concerns.
Eke Panuku said the design had been refined in collaboration with industry experts, and ramps and balustrades would be installed for safety.
The pontoon will be made from 4.4m-wide secured concrete pontoons which can rise and fall with the tides.
Staff will operate an onboard engine to hinge the pontoon by 90-degrees to the south to allow marine traffic through - a process estimated to take 15 minutes.
Eke Panuku said it had not confirmed opening hours, but it was expected to be open during daylight hours because of safety, and would continue into the evening if it was possible to do so safely.