New Zealand Transport Agency (NZ Transport Agency) has shortlisted two teams for the Auckland Harbour Bridge work, which is part of its Northern Pathway programme.

The first shortlisted team is formed of Fulton Hogan, HEB, Auerocon and Freyssinet, while the second includes McConnell Dowell, Arup and Rizzani de Eccher.

The Northern Pathway project involves building a dedicated walking and cycling link between Auckland’s City Centre and the North Shore.

The chosen team will propose detailed design and construction plans for the cross-harbour section of the path.

The link over the Auckland Harbour Bridge will be developed as a continuous path at the same level as traffic lanes, facilitating connectivity between the two sides.

Transport Agency project delivery senior manager Andy Thackwray said: “Both teams consist of a combination of designers and contractors with experience working on the design and delivery of complex steel girder and concrete bridge projects.

“We’re very excited by what we have seen so far from the two teams. They bring New Zealand and international experience, which is just what we need for a project of this scale and complexity.”

Through the NZD6.8bn ($4.29bn) NZ Upgrade Programme, the government is investing NZD360m ($227.19m) for the first part of the project, which involves work over the Auckland Harbour between Westhaven and Akoranga.

Once selected, the preferred contractor will work in tandem with the NZTA on the detailed design and construction of the path between Westhaven and Akoranga.

The chosen team will be announced later this year, with construction work expected to begin in 2021. Project work is expected to take around two and half years to complete.

Recently, NZ Transport Agency opened a new bridge over the Wandle River.