Media release

21 October 2015

New shared path shows city’s transport turnaround

This afternoon’s ground breaking for one of Auckland’s biggest ever walking and cycling projects shows how far the city has come in embracing all modes of transport, says Auckland Mayor Len Brown.

Construction starts tomorrow on a 7.3km off-road shared path that will allow people to walk, run or cycle from Auckland’s eastern suburbs to the city centre via Tamaki Drive.

Five years after the birth of the new Auckland, Len Brown says the ground breaking is a good time to reflect on progress towards keeping Auckland moving.

“Five years ago we were very car and motorway focused but Aucklanders kept telling me they would cycle and walk more if they felt safer and the terrain was more cycle-friendly.

“In our first five years, investment in active transport – cycleways and walkways- is a n impressive measurement of the progress we are making. The investment increase has been a staggering 48.8%. Over the next three years, we have budgeted to treble our annual investment in cycling.

“Cycling advocates are calling it a revolution.”

The Glen Innes project is part of a wider $200 million programme of investment in cycling in the next three years to be delivered by Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and the Transport Agency.

In a month, the next major joint project - the Nelson Street cycle and walk way through Spaghetti junction will be opened.

Len Brown says both the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive shared path and the Nelson Street projects will not just fill key cycling gaps but become iconic landmarks in Auckland.

Earlier today the Mayor attended the ground breaking for NZTA’s Southern Corridor motorway improvements which includes SH1 lane widening from Manukau to Papakura and the upgrade of the Takanini Interchange.

“Going from a motorway ground breaking to one involving a shared path for cyclists and pedestrians shows the integrated approach to Auckland’s transport needs we are now achieving.”

Ends

Note to Editors:
• Auckland Transport and AT have designed a 7km long, 4m wide off-road shared path connecting pedestrians and cyclists from Auckland’s eastern suburbs to the Waitematā.

• The joint project will be constructed in four sections between 2015 and 2018 as follows:
Section 1 – Merton Road to St Johns Road
Section 2– St Johns Road to Meadowbank rail station
Section 3 – Orakei Basin Boardwalk
Section 4 – Orakei Road to Tamaki Drive.
• The path will be safe and convenient for use by people on foot or on bike.
• Good lighting will extend hours of access, particularly during winter months.
• The route’s geography is hilly in places, but the design of the path will keep gradients as low as possible.
• It’s a shared path not separated cycleway. The intention is that the path will be an environment in which we ask people to “share with care”, consistent with other shared paths across Auckland.
• Contractor Transfield Services begins construction on section one tomorrow (Thursday). This section, between Merton Road and St Johns Road, is expected to be finished in late-2016 and the whole project is expected to be completed in late 2018.
• More details at https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/glen-innes-to-tamaki-drive-shared-path/

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