Another $600,000 has been allocated to the pedestrian bridge over the Whangapouri Stream near Jutland Road in Pukekohe’s Belmont to keep schoolchildren safe.
Franklin Local Board chair Angela Fulljames says the last board prioritised the bridge because the area was too dangerous for pedestrians moving across a stream that swells during rain events, many of them children on their way to and from school.
“This money comes from our limited Transport Capital Fund and covers the increased cost of the project."
The board also had the safety of children uppermost in mind when it allocated $700,000 to the Waiau Pa to Clarks Beach path to create an option for children from the rapidly growing Clark’s Beach housing area to safely access their school.
Kerb and channel work at Beachlands was allocated $680,000 to partially fund work at First View Avenue – expected to cost the full $698,000, with $380,000 work also needed at Second View Avenue and $300,000 at Karaka Avenue.
It may be that the amount allocated across the three sites, depending on the efficiencies involved in undertaking the work.
Local Board Transport Capital Funds allow boards to deliver transport infrastructure projects that are a local priority, but which may not be considered a priority within Auckland Transport’s work programme.
Fulljames says the budget for the board’s term is $2.5 million.
“Meeting the cost to complete the Whangapouri crossing leaves around $1.9 million for other projects and board members have had to whittle down an extensive list to make the most of the available funding."
“Other projects funded were $70,000 for the King and Kitchener intersection crossing upgrade at Waiuku, which will relocate the pram crossings and island, work that’s again needed to improve pedestrian safety, with site well-used by students."
“There’s also $150,000 for islands to separate traffic at the approach lanes to the Valley and Belgium roads intersection, and $300,000 for pedestrian safety, again centred on those going to and from school, at the George Street-France Street-Kaiwaka Road intersection serving Waiuku Primary School."
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