The NZ Transport Agency has given the green light for a pedestrian bridge to be constructed over the Northwestern Motorway (SH16) near the Westgate shopping centre.
Acting regional manager Tommy Parker announced the decision following a request from Deputy Mayor of Waitakere City Council Penny Hulse. He acknowledged the need to ensure a safe path over the motorway because school children were using the motorway as a shortcut to the shopping centre.
“The NZTA is currently working on the design of a bridge across the motorway. The bridge will include connections at each end, including a connection into the Westgate shopping centre. It is likely that funding for the bridge and connections will also come from contributions by Waitakere City Council and the NZ Retail Property Group who own Westgate. The NZTA will discuss funding further with them as design progresses,” he says.
Construction of a bridge may coincide with work already taking place at Westgate for the new SH18 Hobsonville Deviation and SH16 Brigham Creek Extension.