The Nelson Street Cycleway links Upper Queen St to Quay St via the Te Ara I Whiti (Lightpath), which has a distinctive magenta colour. The cycle route also caters for walkers and connects to the Northwestern and Grafton Gully cycleways, providing easier and safer access to and from the city centre.
The route will connect with and expand the Auckland Cycle Network and align with the long-term vision of the NZ Transport Agency, Auckland Transport (AT) and Auckland Council to build world class cycling infrastructure that promotes cycling as a safe and convenient mode of transport.
The project is being delivered by the Transport Agency, AT and Auckland Council.
The first stage involved the construction of a bridge from Canada Street, and continuing as a separate two-way cycle path along the western side of Nelson Street to Victoria Street. The bridge was built off-site and then put in place overnight.
The architecturally designed Canada Street Bridge, which has been resurfaced to match the world renowned, award-winning magenta-coloured Nelson Street off-ramp, known as the Lightpath Te Ara I Whiti, stretches over SH1 and features a string of interactive lights along one side.
The project team worked with Maori artist Katz Maihi and iwi throughout the urban design stages to include Maori designs and ensure the path had a distinctly New Zealand identity. The design includes a large koru pattern.
The second stage of work will extend the separate cycle path from Victoria Street down to Quay Street and will also provide a link along Pitt Street to join Karangahape Road and Union Street. Construction began in June 2017 and is expected to finish late 2017. The Nelson Street cycle route will complete a link in the Auckland Cycle Network and will add to a growing network of walking and cycling paths in the city.
