This week’s groundbreaking 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 started on October 22 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 it 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 an 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 walkway 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 the Mayor attended the groundbreaking for NZTA’s Southern Corridor motorway improvements which include SH1 lane widening from Manukau to Papakura and the upgrade of the Takanini Interchange.
“Going from a motorway groundbreaking to one involving a shared path for cyclists and pedestrians shows the integrated approach to Auckland’s transport needs we are now achieving.”