It’s a new dawn, all right. The Nelson St project was formally launched with a low-key ceremony yesterday, with the blessings of kaumatua from local mana whenua. Rather apt for this time of year, a dawn service that looks forward in hope as well as drawing strength from the past.
We thank everyone for their work to bring the project thus far – with special thanks to Max Robitsch who quietly generated so much of the original vision – and we eagerly anticipate its safe completion.
Haumi e, hui e, taiki e!
Here’s the press release from our friends at NZTA:
Nelson Street Cycle Route Gets Underway
A dawn blessing has marked the start of work on the Nelson Street Cycle Route.
Kaumatua from Ngati Whatua o Orakei, Te Aki Tai, Ngati Paoa and Te Kawerau a Maki led the blessing which took place on the disused Nelson Street off-ramp.
The Nelson Street Cycle Route will link Upper Queen Street to Quay Street via the disused off-ramp and connect to the north-western and Grafton Gully cycleways, providing easier and safer access to and from the city centre.
The project will be delivered in partnership with Auckland Transport and delivered in two phases.
Phase one will see the construction of a bridge from Canada Street, connecting with the old Nelson Street motorway off-ramp and continuing as a separated two-way cycle path along the western side of Nelson Street to Victoria Street.
Construction of the bridge is first to get underway. It will be built off-site and when completed will be put in place overnight.
Phase two will extend the separated cycle path from Victoria Street down to Quay Street and will also provide a link along Pitt Street to join Karangahape Road and Union Street.
Construction of the cycleway from Canada Street to Union Street will be undertaken by Hawkins Construction. The completion of Phase one to Victoria Street is expected late this year and phase two by the middle of next year.
