Some months back, one of our most popular posts ever told you about how Council had agreed to budget $9 million (later corrected to $10m) for the Waterfront Cycleway. But this soon turned out to be a misunderstanding (which apparently even affected Waterfront Auckland)  – caught up in a budget disagreement, the project had been voted down after all.

Everyone at CAA was crushed at hearing this. And even people like Brian Rudman, not really known as a cycling fan, weighed in with some recommendations for the project.

But it soon became clear – as we learned at Waterfront Auckland’s Stakeholders’ Forum two weeks ago – that with support of the Mayor, WA had not given up on the project. It is now confirmed that budgets have been reshuffled, and a slightly less fancy boulevard scheme (at just under $6 million) has been approved [link to a second news item].

This is GREAT news – and some new details are also provided to whet your appetites. The new walk- and cycleway will still run from the Auckland Harbour Bridge along the Westhaven Marina to Wynyard Quarter (linking in at a new, more people-friendly Daldy Street). Waterfront Auckland CEO, John Dalzell, notes that:

“… we intend to deliver a walkway and cycleway that meets the high standards of construction consistent with other projects we’ve delivered to date such as Jellicoe Street,”

“This will be more challenging now due to the reduction in funding available for this project, however, we’re confident substantial structures such as the cantilevered boardwalks will still be designed to a very high standard and will be of a generous width and made from quality materials.”

Most of the savings are apparently to come through deferring some items until later – i.e. building the route without extra viewing platforms and the smaller ancillary paths that where to run along the wharves, and by reducing the landscaping somewhat. Which is a shame, but shouldn’t cause the main walk- and cycleway to be any less of a great project.

The project is intended to be completed by 2014 – good on you, Waterfront Auckland!

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

7 Responses to “Second time’s the charm – Waterfront Cycleway is GO”

1. Bryce says:

   August 6, 2012 at 1:14 pm

   Very good news indeed.
2. Boyd says:

   August 6, 2012 at 4:10 pm

   I have cycled the Westhaven Drive with out a single passing car. This is no commuter route unless you happen to work on a boat. It’s already far more cycle friendly (no parking all along it) than 99% of the roads in Auckland. If i was drawing up a priority list this would be very near the bottom.
   • Admin says:

     August 6, 2012 at 4:42 pm

     Hello Boyd – I’d say the link is very useful because:

     - it ISN’T primarily intended as a commuter route. It’s part of the waterfront walk + cycleway, that is to run all the way from Herne Bay in the west to Teal Park in the east (start of Tamaki Drive cycleway). For people to enjoy the waterfront, and a nice extra way to get to the attractions of Wynyard Quarter from the west.

     - it does have some commuter use (certainly for beginner cyclists which we want more of) for the western CBD and especially the Wynyard Quarter offices and jobs which are being settled there, such as the big new ASB headquarters bank building being finished there now.

     - once we get the Auckland Harbour Bridge cycleway, it will become even more important as a recreational and commuter link (again, commuters may indeed eventually decide they can ride fine on Westhaven Drive – but we want those who don’t WANT to ride on road to start on routes like this and work their way up to greater confidence).

     And most importantly, remember this is paid from Waterfront Auckland money, not transport money. Where else are WA going to spend their funds, if not the waterfront? I think it’s much better that they prioritise this, than, say, another superyacht marina berth…
     • David says:

       August 6, 2012 at 5:49 pm

       HI, I’m slightly puzzled by this route too. As Boyd points out, most of this route is already one of the best quality cycling routes we have in Akl.

       Isn’t WA a council owned and controlled agency? So doesn’t that mean the council is paying for this out of rates? It is not NZTA finding the NW extension.

       I agree it will be nice that it is there, I just seriously question the priority given the project.
       • Admin says:

         August 6, 2012 at 6:52 pm

         Umm, gents, don’t forget this is a WALK and Cycleway. If you have ever tried the route on two feet, instead of two wheels, you will notice that for significant sections, you are either walking on the road, on a very narrow footpath, or on a tight path through car parking. So if YOU can’t see yourself using it, consider it as a great walking path with provision for the more casual cyclists, families etc…

         Re funding – Yes of course WA is Council owned, and yes, this is coming out of your rates. But not out of your transport rates, and as mentioned, they might have spent it on… I don’t know what other things instead that would have nothing to do with cycling at all (this is coming from a fixed overall WA budget after all).

         The end result will be a continous off-road cycleway along all the waterfront from Herne Bay to Saint Heliers. Even if you already ride that route on-road, that’s more than nice – that’s awesome, if I may say in my decidedly subjective perspective
         • David says:

           August 7, 2012 at 11:30 am

           It is definitely a good thing and I will use it myself. I just don’t get any sense that a broader plan for cyclists in Auckland is driving these projects.
         • David says:

           August 7, 2012 at 11:39 am

           Actually, it is clear where this fits into a plan — as you say, it provides a continuous link along the waterfront.