Overview
Construction has now begun on a $11 million cycleway that will link the Upper Queen Street Bridge to Quay Street. A game changer for inner-city Auckland commuters. Phase one of the Nelson Street cycleway project is now underway, it will see a 160 metre bridge from Canada street connecting with the currently unused Nelson Street motorway off ramp.
The cycleway will also connect the North Western and Grafton Gully cycleways and allow safer access to and from the city. It will be a shared path for both cyclists and foot traffic and will continue as a two way cycle path along Nelson Street right down to Victoria Street. All sound a little confusing? It will make perfect sense once the project is complete.
In a slightly strange but very cool ploy, construction of the bridge is happening off site. When completed it will be put in place overnight.
Priced at approximately $11 million, the bridge and adjoining paths are the first phase in Auckland Transport and the New Zealand Transport Agency's vision to "build world class cycling infrastructure that promotes cycling as a safe and convenient mode of transport".
Auckland Transport will propose to the board next Tuesday, that $207 million will be invested in cycling over the next 3 years, with a proposed 53km of new cycle routes. These are highly pleasing steps forward for a city that has long been obsessed with getting around on four wheels.
Please tell us your thoughts below. Money well spent? Will you use it?
[Source: nzherald]