Over $4m of cycling and pedestrian initiatives in Auckland

Auckland City will progress over $4 million of cycle and pedestrian initiatives in seven areas. These follow $3.8 million approved by Infrastructure Auckland contributing to the works.

Almost half the funding will be used for improvements around Grafton, Avondale, Otahuhu and Panmure, such as pedestrian refuges, walkways and cycleways. The rest will be used for the Waikaraka cycleway, which will benefit Onehunga, Te Papapa and Hillsborough areas.

Grafton The initial pedestrian and cycle study showed that there are a few gaps in the Grafton pedestrian ‘network’.

Most of the planned improvements will be located along main roads including Khyber Pass and Carlton Gore Road. Dropped kerbs and pedestrian refuges will be implemented to provide safer crossing points for pedestrians.

Other improvements will be undertaken within and around the Auckland Domain border, making it easier and more pleasant for pedestrians to walk around the area.

Detailed design has been completed and is undergoing a safety audit. Work, costing approximately $250,000, is due to start in late May.

Avondale Pedestrian facilities are planned to improve safety for pedestrians crossing roads. Most of the work will be undertaken within a 1km radius of the town centre.

Auckland City will also look to develop off road cycle facilities around Avondale in the near future.

Work in Avondale is expected to start in May and will cost over $500,000.

Otahuhu Pedestrian and cycle improvements will tie in with other activities in Otahuhu including the mainstreet programme, the proposed recreational area and the connection between the rail station and town centre.

Improvements will include footpath widening, installing pedestrian crossing facilities and installing cycle facilities on quieter local roads.

Community members directly affected will be asked for feedback on the improvements as part of the design process undertaken by GHD Limited consultants.

The cost of implementing these improvements is estimated at approximately $1 million.

Panmure Many simple pedestrian and cycle improvements will be undertaken in Panmure.

Improvements include upgrading facilities at intersections, adding and widening some footpaths, improving pedestrian access around the Panmure Basin and upgrading pedestrian crossings.

Opus International Consultants will begin the detailed design in May 2004. As part of this stage, any community members directly affected will be asked for feedback.

The improvements are estimated to cost approximately $200,000. Waikaraka cycleway (Onehunga and Hillsborough) Auckland City has awarded GDH Limited the contract to undertake design and supervise physical works for two out of three stages of the Waikaraka cycleway, that is Pikes Point and Onehunga.

Construction is due to start at the beginning of 2005 and will take approximately four or five months. The physical works is expected to reach around $2 million for the first two stages.

It is envisaged that design will begin soon on the third stage, which is in the Mt Roskill area.

Once completed the cycleway will make it easier and safer to cycle in the Te Papapa, Onehunga and Hillsborough areas.

© Scoop Media

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