Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has announced that construction on a second Auckland harbour crossing will begin in 2029, 11 years earlier than anticipated.

The announcement was made during a meeting with Auckland Business Chamber on Thursday morning.

Hipkins stated that the second harbour crossing would make life easier for Aucklanders and add resilience to the city's transport system.

The recent floods have highlighted the vulnerabilities of having many services running through old bridges, emphasizing the importance of modern infrastructure.

Hipkins did not disclose whether the harbour crossing would be a tunnel or bridge but stated that tunnels would play a much larger role in Auckland's future.

In December 2022, Transport Minister Michael Wood announced that a decision on the preferred option would be made by mid-2023, with work expected to begin "in the latter part of this decade."

The Auckland Transport report suggested that bridge-crossing options are significantly cheaper than tunnel options in terms of capital and operating costs. However, bridges have a visual and environmental impact on the harbour.

The existing Auckland Harbour Bridge is turning 64 years old in May 2023, and the announcement of a second harbour crossing is timely.

The Prime Minister's announcement will provide a boost to businesses and residents in the Auckland region.

More details to come.