Auckland Harbour Bridge SkyPath and Penlink road advance with confirmed funding in $12 billion package

The SkyPath walking and cycling link across the Auckland Harbour Bridge has secured full funding and a start date next year as part of the government's $12 billion infrastructure package.

The decision ends more than a decade of planning setbacks for the project, which will connect Westhaven directly to the North Shore. Residents and commuters have waited since consent was granted in 2015, with the design later purchased by NZTA for $1.8 million. The package also unlocks work on the Penlink road and widening of State Highway 1 between Papakura and Drury.

Projects tied to Auckland growth corridors

The SkyPath carries a $360 million price tag and will run alongside the existing bridge structure. A separate 3 km SeaPath extension from Northcote Point toward Takapuna still requires further design and consent work. Penlink, a 7 km tolled route from Redvale on the Northern Motorway to the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, is expected to cut daily traffic through the Silverdale business area by around 50,000 vehicles. Construction on Penlink is scheduled to begin late next year and finish in 2025, with a separated walking and cycling path included.

Additional Auckland road spending within the package covers the four-laning of State Highway 1 from Papakura to Drury and the Mill Road highway. Rail allocations exceed $900 million and include electrification to Pukekohe, a third track in South Auckland, and two new stations at Drury Central and Drury West. These elements form part of the $2.2 billion earmarked specifically for new Auckland roads and the wider $6.8 billion transport allocation across multiple regions.

Next steps for delivery and local impacts

With funding now committed, NZTA will move into detailed procurement and contractor engagement for the SkyPath and Penlink. Property owners along the Penlink alignment can expect consultation on final alignments and tolling arrangements. Pedestrian and cyclist groups will monitor progress on the SeaPath consents, while South Auckland communities await updates on the new rail stations and track upgrades.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson noted that earlier projects lacked committed money and that current low interest rates support borrowing to accelerate delivery. Transport Minister Phil Twyford highlighted Penlink's role in easing pressure on the northern busway and supporting growth north of the city. Residents should watch NZTA project pages for public consultation dates on design refinements and construction staging over the coming months. The full package details are available in the NZ Herald report at the supplied source URL.