Amidst all the excitement of completed works along the causeway section of the NW Cycleway (including the fantastic new underpass at Te Atatu, just opened this week), we’ve been promising an update about the stretch through St Lukes and Chamberlain Rd, especially that higgledy piggledy detour through the back streets of Western Springs.
First up – Leighton, the contractors, tell us that the detour will be in place for another two months:
Diversion around St Lukes: Full completion by Monday 22, February – with possible completion of one section to be opened prior to this date. New signage will be implemented this week to this effect.
Here’s the background on the delay:
Additional works and unchartered services in the site have delayed the completion from the original November 2015 date. The additional works for this area of the Northwestern Cycleway include shared path lighting duct and future proofing for service ducts. The newly-scoped works have been added to the current programme to avoid future diversions in the area and to save time for other contractors who will be working locally later next year.
It’s not ideal. But the end is in sight.
Meanwhile, further along the Chamberlain Park section, you’ll have noticed a shift from the concrete path to a freshly installed stretch of tarmac alongside the fence. We’re told this will be in place for three months “while works continue in the area as part of the motorway widening”:
And as you approach the Pt Chevalier end of the Chamberlain Park section, you may have noticed fresh concrete being laid in the last few days:
Chamberlain Park switch: We will be opening up this section prior to Christmas so the Northwestern Cycleway users (cyclists and pedestrians) have a brand new path for Christmas. These permanent works will tie in to the Meola Creek temporary switch above; there will be a small ramp to join the two works together.
In other words, you’ll soon be shifted from the wiggly path on the right to the smooth concrete on the left:
One other recent issue in this area – which you alerted us to via social media, for which we thank you! – has recently been fixed. This was the tight bend at the SE corner of the St Lukes crossing, where a traffic barrier had been nudged way too close to the wire fence, drastically limiting access and visibility for people on bikes crossing the motorway exit slip lane. If you pass through here, let us know – how’s the visibility and access there now?
Lastly, if you run into any issues over the holidays, please feel free to contact Leighton directly, and they will do their best to keep the cycleway moving.
There has been a recent general housekeeping on the cycleway to make sure that there are no issues for cyclists or pedestrians during the holiday period.
If there should be any further questions or concerns, please contact Elise Miller 029 771 3209 so that the issues can be dealt with and passed on to the team working onsite during the break or to urgently fix up.
Once again our team would like to thank you for your continued patience while we work in the area and wish all the members of Bike Auckland a Safe and Happy Holidays.
