The transformation of Beach Road continues next week

The Beach Road walking and cycling project begins its second and final stage on 30 March, continuing the transformation of a key link into the city centre.

Auckland Council and Auckland Transport (AT) are making it safer, easier and more enjoyable to walk and cycle on Beach Road, upgrading the northern side of Beach Road, between Mahuhu Crescent and Britomart Place.

Part of Auckland Council’s City Centre Masterplan (2012) this jointly funded project will transform the look and feel of the street through use of high quality paving, feature lighting and planting of native coastal species an echo of the area’s rich cultural past as well as a reference to Auckland’s original foreshore.

The works will extend stage one of the Beach Road cycleway, successfully completed in September 2014, connecting to the pedestrian laneway network in Fort Street and with the shared walking and cycling path on Quay Street. The route will be a mix of separated cycleway and sections of shared path around intersections, with paving designs and cycle symbols helping to separate pedestrians from cyclists.

Auckland Transport’s Walking and Cycling Manager, Kathryn King, says: “By linking with the Grafton Gully and north-western cycleways, the completed Beach Road cycleway creates a continuous, safe and convenient route for people to access the city centre by bike.”

Ludo Campbell-Reid, General Manager of Auckland Council’s Auckland Design Office, says this project is one of a range of cycle route projects that are making Auckland city centre a far more attractive place in which to walk and cycle.

“We are creating city spaces in which people want to spend time shopping, dining and relaxing.” he says.

“Beach Road’s upgrade includes innovative features such as small pocket parks and information plaques, and special stormwater rain gardens located at the junction of Beach Road and Tangihua Street to help filter out pollutants in the stormwater before it flows to the sea.

“Coastal plants will reflect the location’s history as a beach and the large attractive London Plane trees will be uplit at night as a stunning feature.”

Of the $3.5 million project cost, $1.5 million is funded through the City Centre Targeted Rate, a special rate that all city businesses pay to fund improvements to streets, parks and plazas. This is administered by the Auckland City Centre Advisory Board, which is made up of community and business representatives.

“Innovative, smart and progressive cities around the world are finding that having safely designed and well-connected cycle routes passing through their areas brings great economic benefits to businesses as well as demonstrable health benefits to the cyclists" Mr Campbell-Reid says.

The upgrade aims to:

• encourage an increase in walking and cycling within the area

• increase safety and the perception of safety for people walking and cycling

• expand the Auckland Cycle Network and provide connected, continuous routes

• incorporate place making into the design

• create an attractive and distinctive street and public space

Works completion is expected by early July. Power infrastructure company Vector will undertake works within the same area, to future-proof underground cabling so that the footpath does not require digging up again at a later date.

Find out more about the Beach Road project at AT.govt.nz/projects

ENDS

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