The Wellington City Councils Krau Tpapa Environment and Infrastructure Committee voted yesterday to replace the quake-prone Capital E building and the City to Sea Bridge, which connects the capitals waterfront and Civic Square. The bridge will be replaced with a pedestrian crossing to cross the six-lane Jervois Quay, and a new bridge will be considered for funding by the Council in a future Long-TermPlan.An amendment from Councillor Iona Pannett to delay the decision to give staff time to gather more information and develop a cost effective solution to strengthen the bridge was defeated by 10 votes toeight.The debate reportedly did not consider advice received from engineers Dunning Thornton, noting that the bridge is not subject to the earthquake prone provisions in the Building Act, hence there is no legal requirement to seismically strengthen it. Dunning Thornton also said the safety risk for people on the bridge could be considered lower than in abuilding.The Council said the former Capital E building has a seismic rating of 20% NBS and the bridge is also at risk in a major earthquake and presents a safety and access risk to Jervois Quay a major arterial road if it was to collapse or be compromised in anearthquake.The Council says the cost to fully strengthen the bridge and Capital E was at least $85 million and partial strengthening was at least $53.3 million. These options were deemed unaffordable by elected members given the financial constraints the city isunder.Krau Tpapa Environment and Infrastructure Committee Chair Tim Brown said that todays decision was the correct one: The decision ensures public safety and is financially responsible. It was based on comprehensive expert work presented to Council by seven engineeringcompanies.Council Chief Operating Officer James Roberts said that yesterdays decision means the long-awaited return of Te Ngkau Civic Square wont be delayed: We understand the range of views in the community about the bridge, but making progress on this key part of Te Ngkau takes us closer to our ultimate goal of returning the heart of the city to the people ofWellington.The Council says it is working with the families and representatives of the artists to explore options around finding a new home for the bridgeartwork.The planning phase of the bridge demolition and construction of the new pedestrian crossing will beginsoon.