Work on a $2 million walking and cycle path along State Highway 3 (SH3) in Hamilton is set to start this month, the NZ Transport Agency says.
The three-metre-wide shared pathway will run along SH3 Ōhaupō Road from Lorne Street to Dixon Road and includes an arm up Normandy Avenue to Bader Street.
As part of the project the two existing zebra crossings at Normandy Ave roundabout will be replaced with traffic lights to make it easier for people to cross the road, and on road cyclist ''pinch points' will be removed.
Contractors Schick Construction will start work on the shared pathway on Monday 25 January, with the 3.5 km long project expected to be finished within six months.
The Transport Agency’s Hamilton highways manager, Kaye Clark, says the new shared pathway will help reduce traffic congestion and improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and other users.
'SH3 Ōhaupō Road is a busy stretch of highway that is used by 25,000 vehicles every day,' she says.
'Having a dedicated shared pathway and upgraded crossing facilities will make it easier and safer for people to walk or bike to one of the seven local schools or three shopping centres in the area.'
The project is one of a number of walking and cycling projects currently underway or planned for Hamilton.
The Ōhaupō Road project follows the completion of a 3km shared path along SH1-Greenwood Street and Kahikatea Drive, which opened last year.
Next up is the 2.7km Western Rail Trail, a shared path from Kahikatea Drive into the city.
This project is being jointly funded by through the Government’s Urban Cycleways Fund, Hamilton City Council, and the Transport Agency and will be finished this year.
Mrs Clark says making walking and cycling a safer and more attractive transport choice is a key priority for the Transport Agency.
'There has been a surge of interest in cycling and cycle safety in New Zealand and we want to support and encourage this by delivering projects that make it safer and easier for people to get around on their bikes or by walking,' she says.
More details about the project are available at www.nzta.govt.nz/sh3-ohaupo-road-flyer(external link)
To learn more about what the Transport Agency is doing in the cycling space, go to: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/walking-cycling-and-public-transport/cycling/(external link)
