The Albert-Eden Local Board has signed off the designs and given the go-ahead for work on the Mt Albert Town Centre upgrade.
Board Chair Peter Haynes says the board is thrilled to have finally reached this milestone.
“The funding is sorted and the lease for the footbridge has been secured, so it’s all go now."
The board is also seeking to bring forward $2.25 million, to add to the $3.3 million in the current financial year (ending 30 June), so that all three stages of the works can be completed together.
This will provide the greatest value for money as on-site establishment costs can be shared across all stages while minimising disruption to local people and businesses from the work.
At a business meeting last week, the board also approved the Mt Albert train station pedestrian bridge into the car park at 915-927 New North Rd.
Deputy Chair Glenda Fryer says the long-awaited rejuvenation will provide more of a village feel to Mt Albert.
“There will be more outside spaces for sitting and dining, and it will be a safer place for pedestrians with the slip lanes removed. More people walking from the train station right into the village will mean more foot traffic for our local businesses."
"New North Rd at Mt Albert is still a very busy road but these changes will bring more of a human element into our village,” she said.
Public consultation on the draft concept design in November 2015 showed 94 per cent of respondents supported the proposed changes to the Mt Albert Town Centre.
The main objection voiced was the lack of cycling lanes on New North and Carrington Roads. The concept plans have therefore been revised to include continuous cycle lanes through the full length of the town centre.
