Auckland Council, New Zealand, has given the green light to the SkyPath cycleway and walkway public private partnership (PPP) project.

SkyPath is a transformational project to provide a shared path along the city side of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. It will be an attractive, semi-enclosed facility that will appeal to recreational users and visitors as well as commuters.  Combined with 'SeaPath' to the north and the Westhaven Promenade to the south, SkyPath will link the communities of Auckland.

Conceived as a community initiative, SkyPath will be financed by private sector funding in partnership with Auckland Council, where users pay an entrance fee to fund the construction and operation of SkyPath.  At the conclusion of the funding arrangement, the asset will be transferred to Auckland Council's ownership.

The Public Infrastructure Partnership Fund will provide the private investment for SkyPath, with the PIP Fund, the Trust, and Council participating in a proposed joint venture partnership to construct and operate the SkyPath for 20 years, after which time it will pass to Council ownership.

The SkyPath's estimated cost of A$33.5 million (US$24.8 million) includes observation decks, access ramps, bridge strengthening works, lighting and a contingency sum of $4 M.