In a community looking for alternative ways get around, a new off-road shared walkway and cycling path alongside the southern motorway is seen as a huge win for Papakura, Karaka and Takanini residents.
Manurewa-Papakura ward Councillor Daniel Newman says a 4.5 kilometre path is being built between Papakura and Takanini by NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) on the western side of the motorway as part of the Southern Corridor Improvements project.
"This is a huge win for local residents in an area where traffic congestion is a real issue so I am grateful to NZTA for delivering what will be a significant piece of transport infrastructure," he says.
“The new path also features a new overbridge connection from Pescara Point – linking Papakura and Karaka with local road connections to Great South Road and Brylee Drive, and access points to reserves at Walter Strevens Drive and Gardone Terrace.
"This will be a fantastic amenity for locals, who will be able to walk or cycle through to Takanini, across the harbour," Cr Newman says.
The new asset is expected to be ready for use in about 18 months.
As well as the shared path, the Southern Corridor Improvements project includes additional lanes on State Highway One to help ease congestion and remove bottlenecks, and an upgraded Takanini interchange.
Go to the project page for more information.