Wellington’s newest walking and cycling paths at Cobham Drive were officially opened today, as part of the off-road Tahitai cycling route which will enable more people to walk and cycle between Wellington’s central city and its eastern suburbs.
Waka Kotahi Director of Regional Relationships Emma Speight joined Mayor Andy Foster, Deputy Mayor Sarah Free, Ohariu MP Greg O’Connor, representatives of Taranaki Whānui as mana whenua, the project team and local community to celebrate the project and officially open the new paths.
The $11.5 million Cobham Drive project provides a two-way bike path and separate footpath, improved landscaping and planting along Cobham Drive, and new seating and bike parking areas.
“The Cobham Drive paths are a major component of Tahitai, which means ‘one journey, one tide’, and will be part of an off-road cycling route being built around Evans Bay from Miramar to central Wellington,” Ms Speight says.
“We know that many people are interested in cycling more often, but don’t feel confident doing so where there aren’t safe, separated bike routes. When the Evans Bay sections of Tahitai are completed, there will be a 7km-long fully separated cycle path from the Miramar cutting to the Wellington waterfront.”
The new bike and walking paths will form part of a future Te Aranui o Pōneke/Great Harbour Way. It will be joined in the coming years by projects like Te Ara Tupua (from Ngauranga to Petone) in creating an iconic journey around Te Whanganui a Tara Wellington Harbour.
“We are working together with Wellington City Council, and other councils in the region to create new walking and cycling routes to provide low-carbon transport options and make Wellington even more vibrant, liveable and accessible,” Ms Speight says.
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