Category: Transport Planning

Looking at Transport Planning and Design

Aucklanders Have Selected Their Cycleway Style Peference

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Modern and smart

From Auckland Transport

Modern and distinctly NZ – what Aucklanders want for new landmark cycleway

Aucklanders have called for the surface design of the old Nelson Street off-ramp to be modern and distinctly New Zealand when it is turned into a new cycleway and walkway later this year.

862 people had their say on a short online survey, where they were able to choose from a range of options for the surface. After modern (43%) and distinctly NZ (42%), came subtle (29%), bright/bold (24%) and exciting/fun (23%).

People were also asked what would encourage them to cycle to the city centre more often. Cycleway improvements within the centre (57%) and safety (56%) were the most popular, followed by neighbourhood cycleway improvements (41%).

The old off-ramp will form part of the Nelson Street Cycle Route – a joint project of the NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Transport.

Councillor Chris Darby, the political urban design champion, says “There’s been a phenomenal response from Aucklanders, with plenty of social media chatter too. A breadth of views has been conveyed and the design team has now got a good steer to get on and deliver something that allows Auckland to shine. This project will get way more Aucklanders in the saddle, cycling their way out of congestion.”

The off-ramp was closed a decade ago and transforming it – as highlighted in the council’s City Centre Masterplan – has received strong support.  It aligns with the shared long-term vision of the NZ Transport Agency, Auckland Transport and Auckland Council to build world-class cycling infrastructure that promotes cycling as a safe and convenient mode of transport.

Brett Gliddon, the Transport Agency’s Auckland and Northland Highway Manager, says: “This project is part of a wider programme to create a well-connected network of cycle routes in Auckland over the next ten years.  It will link to the Grafton Gully cycleway to provide a continuous cycling route around the city centre and an alternative route to the city centre and the waterfront – giving cyclists more choice and better connections.”

Barbara Cuthbert, Cycle Action Auckland chair, says “We’re delighted with the response to the council’s survey, the strong public support for improved cycling connections and the prospect of a modern, distinctively NZ design and colouring on the off-ramp pavement. It’s such a smart, exciting, affordable way to enhance this landmark project.”

The new cycleway will connect to the Northwestern and Grafton Gully cycleways, providing easier and safer access to, from and within the city centre.

It will link Upper Queen Street to Nelson Street by a bridge to the old Nelson Street off-ramp. The route will continue as a cycle path along the western side of Nelson Street to Victoria Street and this part will open later this year. Phase two will continue from Victoria Street to Quay Street and will also provide a link along Pitt Street to join Karangahape Road and Union Street. Final completion is expected midway through next year.

Results from the survey:

How do you want the Nelson St off-ramp’s road surface to look?

Number %
Modern/urban 364 43
Distinctly New Zealand 355 42
Subtle/simple 248 29
Bright/bold 206 24
Exciting/fun 193 23
Other (please specify): 176 21
Unchanged/motorway grey 130 15
Geometric/abstract 119 14
Historic/classic 91 11
Words/lyrics/storytelling 84 10

 

How would you use the new walkway/cycle route?

 

Number %
Cycling 576 67
Recreation 533 62
Enjoying the environment and views 504 59
Walking or running 425 50
Exercise 384 45
Commuting to work or study 360 42
Other 62 7

What would encourage you to cycle to the city centre more often?

 

 

 Number %
Cycleway improvements within the city centre 486 57
Safety 478 56
Local cycleway improvements in my neighbourhood 348 41
Cycle parking 291 34
Cycleway improvements to the city centre from the West 260 30
I already cycle regularly 185 22
Cycleway improvements to the city centre from the North 176 21
Cycleway improvements to the city centre from the South 163 19
More information about cycle routes 135 16
Cycleway improvements to the city centre from the East 129 15
Other 121 14
Nothing would get me to cycle 48 6

—ends—

Sydney to Get Second Rail Harbour Crossing – While National Continues to Dither With Auckland

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While we waiting on our dithering Government for our City Rail Link

[That would enable the North Shore Line]

 

Again in Australia (this time Sydney) things get done while we continue to dither around.

From SMH:

Transport minister Andrew Constance says new Sydney Metro train line a ‘massive city shaping project’

Date June 16, 2015 Jacob Saulwick
New residential and commercial buildings are likely to be constructed as part of Sydney’s latest rail project, a mammoth underground train link carving under the lower north shore and inner city Sydney.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance briefed hundreds of industry executives on Tuesday morning about the $10 billion-plus project, which the government recently dubbed “Sydney Metro”.

“This massive city shaping project will be the new spine of our city’s public transport system and will serve us for generations to come with room to grow,” Mr Constance said.

Two options for the second harbour rail crossing, with stations at either Sydney University or Waterloo. Source: Sydney Morning Herald

 

…….The new line, which will use single-deck driverless trains, will connect to the proposed extension of the north west rail link at Chatswood, run under the city, and connect to the Bankstown Line at Sydenham.

At least three new train stations will be built in the city, at Martin Place, Pitt Street near Town Hall, and Central, with the possibility of another station at Barangaroo.

The stations that are being built for the north west rail link in Sydney’s outer north west suburbs have involved the digging of large boxes underground, a process that could need to be repeated in Sydney’s central business district.

Asked if new developments could be built on station boxes in central Sydney, Mr Constance said: “We’ve got to be open to everything.

“We are going to see a massive influx of people into Sydney as we grow, we are going to see the population grow to six million people by 2031, that means a combination of transport projects facilitating both urban developments in terms of brownfield sites and obviously greenfield sites as well,” he said.

“You only need to look at the development that’s happening in the north-west, and what we will see in terms of the uplift associated with Sydney Metro North West, to know that this type of infrastructure is a game changer in terms of urban design, urban planning,” he said.

“We want to maximise the development opportunities off the investments we are making on behalf of the taxpayer because it makes economic and social sense.”

 

Construction on the project is slated to start in 2017 and finish in 2024.

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Full article: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/transport-minister-andrew-constance-says-new-sydney-metro-train-line-a-massive-city-shaping-project-20150616-ghoy0v.html

 

So like In Victoria They Are Getting Stuff Done, New South Wales is also getting stuff done. This is while our Government continues its fine form of excuses and complete dithering.