NZTA chipping in with more cycle-ways
I caught this little gem on Twitter while writing my previous post on the Governing Body meeting later in the week:
Cycle-ways and Papakura, two things to catch my attention especially after this post which covered cycle-ways in the South: Some Transport Projects. Note: Davis Avenue is now open and is a very pleasant walk to do. It will be great when it is stitched up with other like project in Manukau City Centre such as Ronwood Avenue (which would make a very nice “Main Street.” ).
Well NZTA and Auckland Transport since that post are about to start the Papakura Bridge cycle-way project. From NZTA:
Funding boost for Auckland cycling/walking network
Plans to improve and extend Auckland’s cycling and walking network have received a funding boost from the NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport.
The two organisations are providing a total of $1.3m to be used in the design of cycleway extensions in the central city and Mt Roskill, and the construction of a cycleway connection in Papakura.
The Transport Agency and Auckland Transport say there is a shared commitment to work together to build-up the existing network.
“Aucklanders are asking for the completion of the city’s walking and cycling network and we are happy to do our share,” says the Transport Agency’s Regional Director Ernst Zöllner. “These projects will give people more travel choices so that they do not have to rely on their cars and will also reduce congestion on roads.”
Auckland Transport’s Manager Community Transport, Matthew Rednall, says a key objective is to encourage Aucklanders to cycle and walk.
“These projects are another step in improving the existing network to give more people a safe option for cycling and walking,” Mr Rednall says.
The three projects in detail are:-
Great South Road (Papakura Bridge): construction of 2.1km section of cycleway between Kevale Place and the Taka Street/Walter Strevens Drive intersection in Takanini. 1.7km will be an off-road shared path for walkers and cyclists, and an on-road cycle lane 0.4km long. The project will connect with existing cycle lanes at both ends. Construction costs $787,995 (Transport Agency share $417,637).
…
Construction is now under-way with Papakura.
Source: http://nzta.govt.nz/about/media/releases/3463/news.html
The project itself can be seen here: https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/great-south-road-cycling-facilities/great-south-rd-cycle-lane/ which includes going through the Takanini Interchange. From earlier posts we know NZTA are getting ready to begin the Southern Motorway corridor upgrade between Manukau and Papakura (More Information on the Southern Motorway Upgrade) later 2015 which is meant to include further upgrades to the Great South Road by Auckland Transport in the area. These upgrades include bus-lanes.
A recap of transport projects coming in for the South over the next few years:
- Southern Motorway upgrade that includes the Takanini Interchange
- Cycle-ways along the Great South Road in the Takanini, Mahia and Papakura areas
- Potential for new bus lanes after the motorway upgrade
- Upgrade to Takanini Station and Papakura Station Park and Ride
- Glenora Road Station (once we clear the $28m hurdle set by Auckland Transport over grade separating the Walters Road Crossing)
- The Manukau South Rail Link (announcement due later this year)
- Manukau Centre Transport Interchange (designs pending)
- South Auckland Bus Network due to start next year
All go-go-go down here 🙂
To the left is a shared path to the right is a footpath
An example of a shared path in Manukau that the Great South Road cycle-way will use
Talking Southern Auckland 
“•Glenora Road Station (once we clear the $28m hurdle set by Auckland Transport over grade separating the Walters Road Crossing)”-
-Music to my ears… Both hands and feet are crossed in anticipation.
One side note is that along with cycle lanes, I feel lock up provisions also need to be provided. On the third day of locking my road bike up at Takanini Station it was stolen (off the fence it was chained to)… Takanini Station is an absolute hole…
The Councillors with the Mayor are touring South Auckland today including the Glenora Road Station proposed site. Lets hope our local Councillor Calum Penrose can give AT a bit of a tickle as well as tell the rest of the Councillors the growing demand for the Station and the hold ups AT are causing for no good reason
Harah, make em get off at Takanini Station and walk to Takanini Village. They may not make it in one peice, but will certainly realise Glenora is a Golden Goose in the making… (that if they were to use the train- which i doubt…)