Auckland Transport and the NZ Transport Agency have today announced a preferred route for the fourth and final section of the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path. The route is being made public ahead of consultation in September on this section of the seven kilometre path.
The shared walking and cycling path will take people from Merton Road near Glen Innes Station to Tamaki Drive, connecting Auckland’s eastern suburbs to the Waitematā Harbour.
Section four starts at Orakei Basin near the new Orakei Village development, crosses the Orakei Road bridge and follows the eastern edge of Hobson Bay on a structure, completely separate to Ngapipi Road. It joins Ngapipi Road just south of the boat sheds and provides a safe connection to Tamaki Drive at the Ngapipi Road intersection, that will soon become signalised with traffic lights.
Eight potential routes were evaluated and this one was selected following a robust process involving key stakeholders and the community.
Auckland Transport’s Manager for Walking, Cycling and Road Safety, Kathryn King says the preferred route provides an amazing, scenic journey for people walking and on bikes, while minimising the effects on the environment and private property.
“Delivering new facilities in built up areas is always a challenge as we have so many factors to take into account and we’re now looking forward to hearing the feedback from locals and people who will use the path. Like many big projects which we need to deliver in stages, we will see the real benefits when we complete this final section which we are hoping to do by the end of next year (2018).”
The NZ Transport Agency's System Design Manager, Brett Gliddon, says the preferred route is a significant step towards providing a safe cycleway from the central city to the eastern suburbs.
"Aucklanders tell us they’re more likely to cycle when there are better cycleways. The Glen Innes path will give people more options about how they travel to work and for recreation between the eastern suburbs and the city centre, in the same way the Northwestern Cycleway has been a great success for the western suburbs.”
“We're delighted to be partnering with Auckland Transport through the $200 million Urban Cycleway Programme to deliver another link in Auckland's cycleway network."
Chair of the Orakei Local Board Colin Davis says, “The Local Board sees the benefits the full route will provide people from all over the board area when it is completed and the link into the central cycleway network is finished. People tell us they want options for how they travel around our beautiful area and also to and from the city for work, study and leisure.
“The Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive Shared Path will be an asset for our area, attracting local and international tourists who want to experience everything the beautiful eastern suburbs have to offer. We also know it will help reduce peak hour congestion and be a great option for our young people getting around. I encourage locals and anyone who might use the path in the future to get involved in the consultation and help Auckland Transport refine the designs.”
Contact:
Mark Hannan
Media Relations Manager, Auckland Transport
Mark.hannan@at.govt.nz
M 021 817 995
Andy Knackstedt
National Media Manager, NZ Transport Agency
Andrew.Knackstedt@nzta.govt.nz
M 021 276 3222
