Improving Albert Street for pedestrians and public transport reliability are the top considerations in a newly-released concept plan for the busy central Auckland route.
The preliminary designs show the potential of a reinstated Albert Street, once the City Rail Link (CRL) project’s underground tunnels and stations are completed.
Pedestrian-friendly
The tree-lined Albert Street of the future is pedestrian-friendly, with broad footpaths, better bus stop facilities and attractive street furniture.
The design also provides for a reliable frequent bus service along the route, with dedicated bus lanes down both sides.
Sustainability measures have also been considered in the design, including the potential to add a “green” wall of vertical plantings to one Albert St building, where space constraints prevent trees being planted in the footpath.
A more attractive space
CRL Design Manager John Fellows says Albert Street will be a much more attractive space than it is at present.
“It will be a great environment for promoting city life, for businesses, residents and pedestrians, extending and complementing the improvements to the city centre between Aotea Square and Quay Street."
Timeline
The reinstatement works will start at the northern end of Albert Street (Quay St to Wyndham St) in 2018/19, once the current cut and cover tunnel works are complete.
The southern end will be reinstated in about 2023, once the mid-town station and bored tunnel works are complete.
