Meadowbank to Kohimarama Connections Meadowbank to Kohimarama Connections
Proposal status: Construction and Design
Reference number: J007106
Project Update October 2023
What has been happening, and why hasn't the project been delivered while the eastern line is closed?
Since consultation in 2021 we have delivered the northern connection (John Rhymer Place), and progressed with site investigation work, detailed designs and construction planning for the Gowing Drive connection.
Through the detailed design process the project costs have increased because we need a longer shared path through 92 Gowing Drive, larger retaining structures and a new larger capacity stormwater pipe under the rail corridor to minimise flooding through the proposed underpass.
As a result of the extreme weather events in Auckland earlier this year, Auckland Transport’s capital programme has faced financial constraints. Unfortunately this has meant we have not been in a position to award any construction contracts to deliver the underpass during the current Eastern line closure.
We also prudently paused public consultation and lodgement of the resource consent while the financial impacts were being assessed across our capital programme. While AT is committed to this project as a high priority, allocation and approval of budget for delivery in Financial Year 23/24 is required from the AT Board alongside confirmation of funding from Waka Kotahi.
What happens next
Subject to these approvals we plan to progress with public consultation and resource consent lodgement early next year. We plan to take the project to our AT board for approval later this year, followed by Waka Kotahi co-funding approval shortly after.
We aim to install the underpass during the Christmas holiday of 2024 when trains on the Eastern Line are not running. We will look to deliver the shared path approaches connecting to the underpass before and after the installation of the underpass with completion or the connection planned around mid-2025.
Further detail on the connection and anticipated delivery timing will be included in the public consultation material early next year, and you will have an opportunity to provide feedback on parts of the proposal then.
Project update May 2022
The Northern Connection of the Meadowbank to Kohimarama Connections is complete. This section was built and completed by Waka Kotahi in conjunction with the Stage 2 section of the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive. We are pleased to announce that this connection will be open to the public very soon. Auckland Transport received feedback and continue to plan for the southern connection to Gowing Drive. We plan to inform the community on the design and next steps, over the next coming months.
We’ve considered your views
Public feedback on the proposed Meadowbank to Kohimarama Shared Path Connections
In July this year, you kindly shared your views on the Meadowbank to Kohimarama Connections (MKCP) project. We’d like to thank you all for taking the time to respond.
What you told us
From 7 July – 25 July 2021, we sought feedback on the entire project (including the northern and southern connections of the shared path). In total, 246 submissions were received. Of the respondents who provided their feedback, we received 183 mentions of support for the John Rymer connection and 180 mentions of support for the Gowing Drive connection.
Top 10 feedback themes across both shared path proposals. (results from all respondents)
| Feedback theme | No of mentions | |
 |
Supportive of the John Rymer Place proposed shared path | 183 |
 |
Supportive of the Gowing Drive proposed shared path | 180 |
   |
Concerns with and/or improve Gowing Drive for people on bicycles and pedestrians | 52 |
 |
Suggested ADDITIONAL cycle and pedestrian connections/improvements | 49 |
|
Concerns with and/or improve John Rymer Place for people on bicycles and pedestrians | 43 |
 |
Comments on the railway crossing (Gowing Drive Path) | 41 |
 |
Comments on the Gowing Drive path are restricted due to limited project details | 32 |
 |
Ensure good lighting is provided along the paths | 23 |
 |
Other suggested improvements to the proposed paths | 23 |
 |
Other comments | 21 |
How we’re moving forward
We received strong public support for the project. To reflect on this feedback and to make a start as soon as possible, we will progress with the project in two parts. AT proposes to deliver the two sections separately because the two sections of the shared path are at different stages of design and have different design features:
- Part 1: Construct the northern connection from John Rymer Place without substantial changes. We plan to commence works on the northern connection in late September 2021.
- Part 2: Consider the substantial feedback on the southern connection and progress with the design. We will report back to the community on the preferred option for the Gowing Drive rail crossing (underpass/overpass) in late 2021 or early 2022. The improvements along the Gowing Drive road corridor would be consulted in mid-late 2022.
Please note that AT will need to be flexible and review the project works due to changing Alert Level restrictions.
The contractor currently working on Section 2 of the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive shared path would be delivering the northern connection. Alert Levels permitting, construction can commence at Alert Level 3, although, there will be some restrictions to work.
What happens next
AT plans to complete construction for the northern connection, using John Rymer Place this financial year and to maintain continuity, the works are planned to be undertaken alongside Section 2 of the Glen Innes to Tamaki Drive shared path.
We will be in touch with residents and businesses with information prior to any construction going ahead. If you have any construction-related queries, please contact:
- Email: ATengagement@at.govt.nz
- Phone: (09) 355 3553
- Post: Auckland Transport, KMCP Project Team, 20 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland 1010
In considering your feedback, we’re also progressing the design for the southern connection at Gowing Drive and we will update the community in mid-late 2022.
Or alternatively, please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns about this project.
We're proposing improvements in your area
Auckland Transport is proposing new walking and cycling connections in your neighbourhood. We’re planning to deliver more travel options to this community by connecting Meadowbank and Kohimarama through the Pourewa Valley. The connections will link into the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path - Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai (the path of land and sea), adding to the popular Auckland pathways network between the Eastern Suburbs and the City Centre.
Project Overview
The proposed new paths are part of a plan to create a city that puts people at the centre, which is greener, safer and better connected for everyone.
The aim of the project is to give people more safe and attractive transport options in and around the Eastern Bays. As Auckland’s population increases and more cars join the road network, we are working on finding ways to make it easier and safer for people to walk and use other active modes of travel like riding bikes and e-scooters that are separated from traffic.
We’ve heard feedback that local connections between Meadowbank and Kohimarama are very important to the local community. We have been working closely with Ōrākei Local Board given these connections are a part of the Ōrākei Greenways Programme Plan.
These connections will connect with the wider walking and cycling networks and encourage more children and adults to get out and walk and cycling – and be less reliant on car travel.
Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path
The Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path - Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai (the path of land and sea) is a joint project that will deliver a 7km-long path that connects Auckland’s eastern suburbs to the city centre.
Auckland Transport (AT) and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency are creating a shared path for cyclists and pedestrians from Merton Road near Glen Innes Station to Tāmaki Drive - allowing you to walk, run or cycle from Auckland’s eastern suburbs to the Waitematā Harbour. This shared path is being constructed in 4 stages.
The proposed shared path connections will link to Stage 2 (St John Ōrākei Basin) of the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive shared path where it passes through the Pourewa Valley. This section is currently under construction and is due for completion in 2022.
See the overall map of the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path- Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai below.
Section 2 St Johns Road to Ōrākei Basin
Read more about the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai
Why are we doing this
As Auckland’s population grows, we need to provide more travel choices and find ways to make it easier and safer for people to walk or ride a bike in Auckland.
Meadowbank and Kohimarama have located on either side of the Pourewa Valley, which together with the rail line, creates a natural barrier between two neighbourhoods. This limits north-south travel, particularly for active modes. St Johns Road and Ōrākei Road both carry high volumes of traffic and the numbers of people living in these suburbs continue to grow.
This project complements the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive - Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai shared path and will connect the dots and expand our cycling network. By providing direct walking and cycling connections were giving people more options for getting around locally and reaching the city and waterfront.
What we’re proposing
We’re proposing two connections, a northern connection joining John Rymer Place with the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path, and a southern connection, joining Gowing Drive with the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path.
John Rymer connection
- We’re proposing a new shared path at John Rymer Place through a property owned by Watercare at 64 John Rymer Place. The shared path will follow down into the Pourewa Valley to connect with the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive shared path. This section has been designed to include new lighting, a new 3m - 4.5m wide shared path, a small bridge, a retaining wall, balustrades and native planting.
- Changes to John Rymer Place include introducing no stopping yellow lines to improve safety and visibility for all road users, and to reduce conflicts through the narrow road sections.
The connection through John Rymer Place is more advanced and we anticipate we could start construction later this year. This would align closely with the works happening now for the shared path and would mean we wouldn’t need to go back and re-dig what is currently being worked on.
Gowing Drive connection
- A new shared path at Gowing Drive connecting to the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive shared path. This shared path will need to cross the rail corridor and a steep section of the valley to connect to Gowing Drive.
The connection through Gowing Drive is still under investigation so we don’t yet have detailed project plans. The area is steep, so the connection would need to curve down towards the train tracks, and we need to fully investigate rail track underpass and overpass options. Once a design has been fully investigated, we will share this with residents for further feedback before confirming an outcome.
Where is the project at?
The connection to John Rymer Place is at a detailed design stage. This means we are currently exploring opportunities to align the delivery of this connection with the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive shared path.
Although we are seeking feedback on the entire project, we encourage you to provide feedback on the southern connection, so we can use this to help develop our options. We will consult again on the updated design of this connection later.
Project Objectives
Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive shared path - Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai is currently being constructed to deliver a 7km-long path between Auckland’s eastern suburbs and the city centre.
As more sections of the shared path start opening, more people will choose active mode trips for some or part of their journeys delivering environmental and social benefits that are being sought through local and national government strategies.
Enabling active transport connections between local communities and their schools helps promote alternative modes of travel other than by car.
Benefits
- Improved community connectivity between Meadowbank and Kohimarama
- People can walk and cycle more easily between the two suburbs
- Provides safe and accessible bike connections for people of all ages and confidence levels
- Provides more transport choices, enabling people to walk or bike safely to local
Public Engagement
We are seeking feedback now, so we can get underway later this year on protecting the routes as soon as possible.
You are the future users of the shared path networks in this area. We appreciate and value all contributions and your feedback will be used to help us tweak and improve the designs/options we are currently considering.
Give your views from Monday 6 July to Monday 25th July 2021. We are providing multiple opportunities to give feedback.
- Email: ATengagement@at.govt.nz
- Phone: (09) 355 3553
- Post: Auckland Transport, KMCP Project Team, 20 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland 1010
Talk to us in person:
- Saturday 10 July 10 am - 1 pm, Ōrākei Bay Village, 228 Orakei Road, Remuera, Auckland
- Saturday 17 July, 9 am - 12 noon, Sunhill Garden Centre Corner, 317 Saint Johns Road, St Heliers, Auckland
Next Steps
We’ll consider all the feedback we receive, and:
- Use it to help finalise the detailed design of the John Rymer shared path connection
- Use it to help shape the options of the Gowing Drive shared path connection. We will come back and seek feedback on the next stage of the design for this connection.
Once we have received your feedback we will consider any changes we need to make, then we will communicate our decisions with you.
Safe with us
Auckland Transport cares for your safety. We want to make our roads safe for everyone, people walking and cycling, especially for our kids and senior citizens and people driving. Projects like this one around Meadowbank to Kohimarama Connections are another step towards our goal of achieving no deaths or serious injuries on our roads. We are guided by the Vision Zero approach to transport safety, which prioritises human safety over other measures (like minor time saving).