WELLINGTON, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government Friday confirmed plans for a brand-new cycling-and-walking-purposed bridge across the Waitemata harbor in Auckland, at an estimated cost of 685 million NZ dollars (489.6 million U.S. dollars).

The government is committed to the Northern Pathway with its preferred option being a separate structure for walking and cycling alongside the Auckland Harbor Bridge, Transport Minister Michael Wood said in a statement.

Geotechnical investigation and testing have determined that building a structure connected to the Auckland Harbor Bridge is not possible as the existing piers are not able to accommodate the extra weight without considerable modifications to counterbalance the increased load involving additional risk to the bridge, Wood explained.

"A stand-alone structure is the safest option that will not only provide a walking and cycling option for commuters but creates an outstanding piece of tourism infrastructure," he said.

Residents in Auckland, a major city on New Zealand's North Island, will be able to get across the harbor by foot or bike, with the bridge providing alternative modes of transport across the harbor and helping reduce congestion on Auckland roads, according to the minister.

Construction of the bridge is planned to begin in mid-2022, and finish in five years.

However, the cross-sea bridge plan faces public criticism for its high cost and some people have doubted whether the bridge could be delivered on time. Enditem

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