The St Lukes cycleway safety improvements will make it safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the motorway ramps and St Lukes Road, and connect to the popular SH16 Northwestern Cycleway.
In line with the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport which prioritises access and safety, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is working to develop more walking and cycling opportunities across the country, including Auckland. This project is part of an initiative from the Transport Agency, in conjunction with Bike Auckland, to improve current cycling facilities along Saint Lukes Road near the Northwestern Cycleway. The project links in with Auckland Transport’s plan for improving the cycle facilities along Great North Road, to the east of the SH16 St Lukes interchange.
The design includes raised (speed) tables at three crossings on the St Lukes overbridge, a Copenhagen-style* raised bike lane southbound from the overbridge to Duncan MacLean Link, and a raised table crossing where the bike lane crosses Duncan MacLean Link.
The SH16 westbound ramp splitter island (traffic island) will be extended to make crossing the road safer for people on foot and on bikes.
The work includes cycle phasing and improved lighting.
*A Copenhagen-style is a raised bike lane protects cyclist movements from vehicle movements using grade separation. The cycle path is raised to the footpath level and distinguished through use of different materials or raised to an intermediate level between footpath level and the vehicle travel lane level.
These upgrades form a missing link in the cycle network, safely connecting St Lukes Road to the Northwestern Cycleway and Great North Road, and to places like the Auckland Zoo, MOTAT, Western Springs Park and Western Springs College.
As raised table crossings improve safety for people on foot and on bikes, these improvements will provide a safer west-east crossing for Northwestern Cycleway users.
These safety improvements will allow the western lane of the St Lukes overbridge, closed two years ago due to safety concerns, to be reopened to cars.
Here’s what the final road layouts will look like once the safety improvements are completed.
