Plans to improve and extend Auckland's cycling and walking network have received a funding boost from the NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport.
The two organisations are providing a total of $1.3m to be used in the design of cycleway extensions in the central city and Mt Roskill, and the construction of a cycleway connection in Papakura.
The Transport Agency and Auckland Transport say there is a shared commitment to work together to build-up the existing network.
"Aucklanders are asking for the completion of the city's walking and cycling network and we are happy to do our share," says the Transport Agency's Regional Director Ernst Zöllner. "These projects will give people more travel choices so that they do not have to rely on their cars and will also reduce congestion on roads."
Auckland Transport's Manager Community Transport, Matthew Rednall, says a key objective is to encourage Aucklanders to cycle and walk.
"These projects are another step in improving the existing network to give more people a safe option for cycling and walking," Mr Rednall says.
The three projects in detail are:-
Great South Road (Papakura Bridge): construction of 2.1km section of cycleway between Kevale Place and the Taka Street/Walter Strevens Drive intersection in Takanini. 1.7km will be an off-road shared path for walkers and cyclists, and an on-road cycle lane 0.4km long. The project will connect with existing cycle lanes at both ends. Construction costs $787,995 (Transport Agency share $417,637).
Mt Roskill: investigate and design a 2.3km-long extension to the community's Safe Routes network from War Memorial Park in Mt Roskill to Waikowhai Park in Waikowhai. 1.5km of the extension will be off road. The project will build on the State Highway 20 cycleway and existing routes. The continuous connections will provide safe links for up to six schools with a combined roll of more than 4,400 children, and improve access for communities to outdoor facilities and places of interest. Design costs $180,000 (Transport Agency share $95,400)
Beach Road, central Auckland: investigate and design a segregated cycle lane along Beach Road that will be almost 1km long. Most of the cycleway will be off-road connecting with the Transport Agency's Grafton Gully cycleway already under construction and the downtown bus/rail and ferry interchanges. Design costs $419,000 (Transport Agency share $222,070).
Mr Zöllner says the Transport Agency's 53% share ($735,107) of the total cost of the three projects is funded by revenue collected from the excise duty on fuel, road user charges, and vehicle registration fees.
"All road users contribute to developing a much more flexible and resilient transport system in Auckland that improves trip reliability and journey times, and reduces the risk of death or serious injury to those who walk and cycle."
Construction work at Papakura has started, and design work at Beach Road is due to start in September and at Mt Roskill in 2015.
For more information please contact:
Ewart Barnsley
Auckland/Northland Media Manager
T: 09 928 8720
M: 027 213 7616
E: ewart.barnsley@nzta.govt.nz
Mark Hannan
Media Manager
Auckland Transport
M: 021 817 995
E: mark.hannan@aucklandtransport.govt.nz
