Proposed temporary floating pontoon crossing to be replaced by extended Red Boats ferry service

The Eke Panuku Board confirmed today a temporary floating pontoon crossing for Wynyard Quarter will be replaced with a more cost-effective and better alternative. 

Representatives this afternoon met with the Wynyard Quarter stakeholder group which proposed the original idea to advise of this decision.

This follows completion of the detailed work on design, costs and consenting issues. Cost confirmations have materially impacted the feasibility of the proposed pontoon.

The board has consequently agreed to an alternative recommendation from the Eke Panuku executive for a substantial increase to the Red Boats ferry service between Te Wero Island and the Viaduct Events Centre to seven days a week with extended hours, effective from Thursday 1 August.

The ferry offers a better and more cost-effective alternative, as it can move more people and move them faster, when considering the time required for the pontoon to open and close. It can also be implemented almost immediately.

The Red Boats ferry service will continue until the Te Wero Wynyard Crossing Bridge returns to service, due by December.

Temporary Crossing - Detailed Investigation

Considerable work has been undertaken on investigating the cost and viability of a temporary floating pontoon crossing.

This followed a proposal from a group of Wynyard Quarter stakeholders, led by Park Hyatt owner Fu Wah, for the installation of a temporary floating structure to allow pedestrian access across the Viaduct Harbour until the Te Wero Wynyard Crossing Bridge returns to service.

The Eke Panuku Board mandated staff to work closely with Total Marine Services (TMS). TMS worked on the original proposal concept with Fu Wah and would have been engaged to undertake the manufacture and installation of the temporary floating pontoon crossing. 

The team has worked closely with Auckland Council’s building control team. A variety of queries had been raised by the officers around user safety, pile sizing, installation methodology and operator training. It has been confirmed a building consent would be required for this temporary structure as well as a resource consent given it would be situated in a coastal marine area for more than 40 days.

This additional work by TMS involved detailed design of the structure itself and further due diligence based on initial cost estimates for the build, and operational costs, which the board agreed to. However, through the process, it has uncovered several items either underestimated, omitted or assumed would be provided free of charge. 

As a result, total costs for this temporary structure have risen to approximately $1.3 million, with increased operating costs of $250,000.

The board acknowledged the cost profile remains at risk of further adjustment. With this in mind, and noting the time needed to fabricate and install this temporary solution would see it in operation for a short period of approximately 6-8 weeks, it concluded the temporary pontoon option was no longer viable on a cost/benefit basis and should no longer be pursued.

This detailed work by TMS noted cost increases due to:

·        Required consents and consent conditions.

·        Hiring of pontoons to enable a secure, large platform of the size required to meet projected usage.

·        Purchase and manufacture of additional components and infrastructure to support a floating structure including piles, balustrades and walers to meet building consent.

·        Signage, lighting and other public safety measures.

·        Operating costs including additional staffing to both operate the pontoon and manage the building consent conditions for the anticipated number of users and fuelling and refuelling safety costs.

Red Boats Ferry Service Extension

The board recognised that given the current very difficult economic conditions affecting most businesses this winter, additional help was needed for Wynyard Quarter until the bridge is back in operation in December. 

Accordingly, it agreed to an expansion of the Red Boats ferry service to seven days per week. Unlike the temporary pontoon which would take until the mid-to-late September to install, expanding the Red Boats service will commence from Thursday 1 August.

Hours of operation will be 7.00am until 9.00pm Sunday – Wednesday, and 7.00am until 10.00pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Hours of operation will be closely monitored and can be adapted should there be a need to extend them further.

The ferries will be able to carry between 6,500 and 7,500 people each day, with an additional boat deployed for special events, if needed.

Te Wero Wynyard Crossing Bridge Renewal Works On Track

Works underway to complete the renewal of the mechanical and structural elements of the Te Wero Wynyard Crossing Bridge are tracking to programme and budget. The bridge is expected to return to service by December.