'Magenta Adventure' cycleway opens in Auckland
Route part of government's $200 million urban cycleways project.
Auckland cyclists are in the pink with today’s launch of the city’s latest piece of cycle-friendly infrastructure.
The $18 million magenta coloured Light Path cycleway – already dubbed "Magenta Adventure" – was opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony presided by Transport Minister Simon Bridges, followed by schoolchildren cycling along the re-vamped Nelson St motorway off-ramp.
Auckland councillor Chris Darby and Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye were also in attendance – and, like Mr Bridges, got on their bikes to celebrate the occasion.
“This is a great day for Auckland’s inner city cycling network,” Mr Bridges says. “The cycleway is a new and exciting urban space, creating a city centre where people feel safer and confident to ride a bike.”
The off-ramp was closed in 2005 after an upgrade to the central motorway junction left it surplus to requirements.
It remained disused for a decade before a decision was made to include it in the planned Nelson Street Cycleway.
The route is part of the government’s urban cycleways project, involving $200 million of planned cycling improvements over the next three years.
The Light Path features interactive lighting along one side that will illuminate the structure at night.
The route connects to Canada Street across the motorway via a prefabricated 260-tonne bridge built in Hamilton and installed under full motorway night-time closures.
The bridge on the Nelson Street side connects with the new Nelson Street separated cycleway down to Victoria Street.
The second phase of the project will connect the route to Quay St and is expected to open in mid-2016.
The coloured Light Path cycleway at night (@transportblog)
If you are travelling by Air New Zealand this week, remember Koru Lounge wi-fi provides you with FREE access to NBR ONLINE premium content.
Emerson Howitt
Thu, 03 Dec 2015
Thu, 03 Dec 2015
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Related News
Related News
'Magenta Adventure' cycleway opens in Auckland
54040