The wheels roll on – infrastructure update
A very quick update on some infrastructure issues:
- The Strand / Tamaki Drive – we have had a recent update from AT that they are discussing improvements with NZTA (as this is a state highway to the port). This will include the details of the cycle upgrades (westbound cycle lane on Tamaki Drive), and potentially also changes to the slip lanes. Construction is loosely envisaged in June 2013.
- In a recent blog post, we discussed the proposed Albany Highway (South) upgrade. After that post, we went to AT to discuss the fact that the plans didn’t show cycle lanes on Upper Harbour Drive for the new signal intersection with Albany Highway. AT have confirmed that they don’t intend to build the intersection w/o cycle facilities on that leg, but simply hadn’t had finalised plans for the future UHD cycle layout yet. They will stay in touch with us on this. They will also look into whether a feeder cycle lane can be added where Unsworth Drive joins Albany Highway.
- CAA’s and ATs “Quick Wins” project on New North Road is marching on – slowly, but deliberately. Current focus is on a number of potential parking removals downstream of intersections, and on getting more advanced design for cycle lanes at the Mt Eden Road / New North Road / Symonds Street intersection.
- We have contacted the fine folks of the Whau Greenways project to see how we can assist making their great vision of a shared coastal path through West Auckland come true.
- We will be meeting with NZTA / Waterview Connection construction alliance to discuss how cycling in the Waterview construction area can be made safer during construction, for example on the cycle path past the petrol station at the northern end of Waterview.
As you see, we try to keep true to our motto of having our fingers in as many projects as possible, to make sure cyclists are being considered. Sometimes, this doesn’t pay off until many months or even years later down the line, but we are slowly getting the runs on the board.
General News, Infrastructure
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Cycle lanes, General News, Infrastructure, infrastructure issues, NZTA
Fullers (CAA Sponsor)
Themocracy
Max, thanks for doing this good report. You’ve shown me up to be overdue on a couple of blogs on our Whangaparaoa Rd widening proposal response ( still in draft blog form), and the site inspection we did last week on the side road proposal for Dominion Rd. Here’s a report on the latter. HUGE accolades are due to Joe Schady, AT’s Project Manager (PM) who led a team of project consultants, Puketapapa Local Board reps (staff and Chair, Richard Barter), Andy Smith from Living Streets and Cycle Action to cycle along both sides of the proposed side routes on Dominion Rd. To our knowledge no other PM has had the intuition and initiative to do this on any other project – it makes such a difference to experience a route on a bike and be able to discuss issues en-route. The side routes are deliberately designed to connect up quiet residential streets, local schools and parks – so hopefully will encourage more kids to cycle to these schools and recreational cycling for those who prefer to stay off main roads.
It needs to be said that the side routes are too convoluted to replace or compensate for the lack of safe, direct and convenient commuter cycling facilities on Dominion Rd. Cycle Action’s reps on the project team will continue to request cycling safety on Dominion Rd by removing parking pinch points, improving bus/bike lane use by investing long term in ‘share the road’ workshops, more advance stop boxes etc.
Hi
I got this response to a complaint/suggestion about Rosscommon Rd (UR17 I think they call it now) in Manukau… Of particular interest is their identification of the need for cycle friendly facilities on it in the near future. If you have any info concerning it, I’d be glad to know.. and report on it as I use it daily:
Dear Geoff
Your customer reference number is : AT2012/ 063004
This response has been provided by our Community Transport Business Unit.
The section of Roscommon Road, between Wiri Station Road and Browns Road, has been identified in our future maintenance programme as requiring investigation and resolution. Your comments regarding the storm-water grates will be taken into particular account as requiring investigation and resolution. This maintenance programme is currently being developed and will be completed this year.
Roscommon Road has also been identified in our Auckland Cycle Network programme, as a future cycle connecting route. This means that Roscommon Road will also receive a cycle friendly facilities installed on it in the near future.
Thank you again for your enquiry.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for any transport related issues, by phoning our 24 hour Call Centre on 09 355 3553 or for any non-urgent issues send an email to info@aucklandtransport.govt.nz
Kind regards
Suz
Hello Geoff
No we aren’t aware of that, but will check with AT.
awesome, thanks
Response from AT:
“Regarding your comment/question on Roscommon Rd: No specific treatments are imminently planned for Roscommon Road, but it is a part of the ACN and will be included in the near future. The possibility of providing this link with an off-road path will certainly be amongst the options in its assessment. Given the environment, it certainly seems plausible.”
So no real timing for works envisaged yet, I am afraid…
bugger.. it ha a massive shoulder which could be turned into a bike path. But because it is an industrial area, its hugely dangerous to be on the footpath on something that moves faster than 4kmh. Just a simple bike lane would be a huge difference.
Max – Geoff’s comments are valid. Is there any way we can raise the bar on this project?
Hi Barb, not sure what you mean – nothing has been decided yet as to the design of what might go in here. There aren’t even concepts yet.
AT is still reviewing their Auckland-wide cycle network for what will get prioritisation, so once they finally release that, we will know more where we stand.