New designs for Auckland’s biggest ever cycle project will be on display at open days next week.
The public are invited to view new designs for Sections 2 and 3 of the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path at open days on Tuesday 12 and Thursday 14 April. It is also an opportunity be updated on the construction of section one.
Open days at St Chads Church
The open days, to be held between 3pm-7pm at the St Chads Church in Meadowbank, will be attended by the project team who can answer questions about the walking and cycling path which will connect Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive at Hobson Bay.
Section one to open this year
The $40 million project will be constructed in four sections. Section one, from Glen Innes to St Johns Rd, is due to open later this year and the entire project to be completed in 2018. It has received $10 million of funding through the government’s Urban Cycleways Programme and is being jointly delivered by the NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport.
Construction is progressing well on section one and plans for the other sections look really good, says Auckland Transport’s Cycling and Walking manager Kathryn King.
“This is a significant project that will make cycling and walking throughout this part of Auckland easier and safer. To make it even better, we are currently working on connections with residential areas along the route,” she says.
“When completed, people will be cycling, walking or running through the eastern suburbs and into the city centre via Tamaki Drive to work, study and for recreation,” she says.
Cycling a key priority
The seven kilometre off-road shared path starts at Merton Rd, Glen Innes and follows the rail line through to Tamaki Drive connecting local communities with public transport.
The NZ Transport Agency’s Auckland Regional Director, Ernst Zollner, says cycling is a key priority for the government and the Glen Innes to Tamaki Shared Path will help contribute towards its goal of increasing cycling journeys by 30 per cent by 2019.
“The route, which takes in the natural beauty and magnificent views of the Waitematā Harbour, will act as the backbone of the Auckland’s cycle network and will enable people to connect with cycle routes from Glen Innes right the way through to Tamaki Drive."
“The route will provide a fantastic new connection for people commuting into the city for work and education opportunities as well as those using the path for fitness and recreation.”
Auckland Transport, Auckland Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency are working together on a three year $200 million programme of investment in cycling to make it safer and more convenient to travel by bike.
Project features
- The path will be around four metres wide and constructed mostly in concrete
- Timber boardwalks will cross the water at Orakei Basin and concrete will be used for longer structures such as the proposed Hobson Bay crossing
- The project will include widening of the existing Orakei Boardwalk
- The path will be safe and convenient for use by people on foot or on bike
- LED lighting will extend hours of access, particularly during winter months
- The route’s geography is hilly in places, but the design of the path will keep gradients as low as possible to help make the area accessible for a variety of abilities.
Visit Auckland Transport to find out more about the path, or visit NZTA to find out more about the Urban Cycleways Programme.
