NZTA bends the bridge...

(Before repair) The New Zealand Transport Agency needs to be taken to public account for its maintenance of Auckland Harbour Bridge.

It appears that preliminary NZTA engineering designs indicated 313 tonnes of additional steel were needed for the current clip-on repair. And on that basis work commenced. But now NZTA advise that over 900 tonnes of steel were actually used.

(After repair) I am advised that this 600 tonne increase seriously compromises the carrying capacity of Auckland's Harbour Bridge because the clip-ons are now so heavy they can barely support their own weight – let alone the weight of traffic.

This public fiasco should not be obscured by debates about the next harbour crossing.