East Street Link cycling and safety improvements East Street Link cycling and safety improvements
Auckland Transport is proposing some tactical changes, including a cycleway link, on the surrounding streets to ensure the safety of pedestrians, people on bikes and motorists.
Project status: Consultation - closed 4 November 2020, last updated 18 December 2020.
Project zone: Central
Project overview
To improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, Auckland Transport proposed tactical changes focused on the area between Te Ara Whiti – Lightpath and Karangahape Road, via East Street. It is our priority to provide a safe road user environment with slower speeds and clear wayfinding for people travelling through this busy construction area with truck movements expected to increase in the coming years.
Project details
The changes proposed are:
- East Street to become one-way northbound between Canada and Galatos Streets, to prevent conflicts between south/eastbound vehicles and trucks entering the CRL site. Vehicle access to Canada Street will be via Upper Queen Street and Mercury Lane only.
- A new two-way, protected cycleway between Te Ara I whiti – Lighpath and Karangahape Road via East Street between Canada and Galatos Streets, which will connect into the wider Auckland cycle network.
- Road surface changes in the form of shared lane markings (sharrows) along Galatos Street and West Terrace to indicate a slow speed environment for all road users.
- To assist with wayfinding, the colour scheme for the cycleway and slow speed areas will match that of Te Ara I Whiti – Lightpath and the Karangahape Road Enhancements i.e. use of the colour pink.
- Proposed removal of 19 car parking space within the project area include:
- Six on Canada Street – were made inactive as part of early traffic management for CRL station works.
- Six on East Street – to enable the two-way cycleway.
- Four on Galatos Street - to give cyclists space and a clear line of sight when moving between this street and West Street.
- Three on West Terrace - to give cyclists space and a clear line of sight when moving between this street and Galatos Street.
- New speed humps on East Street to create a slower-speed environment around the CRL works site.
- Relocating the Galatos Street loading zone to the opposite side of the road to provide clearer line of sight for cyclists and pedestrians.
Download the East Street Cycleway link proposal drawing (PDF 2.7MB)
Benefits
- A safer, slower-speed environment with clear wayfinding for all users of this road space, particularly around the CRL Karangahape Station construction site.
- A new, two-way cycleway between key parts of the cycle network enabling safe cycling to, from and across city centre and midtown destinations.
Public feedback
Public feedback closed on Wednesday, 4 November 2020.
Overall sentiment for this proposal was positive;
- 86% expressed support for the changes
- 58% supported the proposal
- 28% supported it with minor changes
- 12.5% said they did not support the proposed changes
- 1.5% were undecided.
Nearly half of all respondents said the proposed amenities for cyclists and pedestrians would greatly improve safety in this area. Thank you for helping us make better decisions for your neighbourhood, informed by your local knowledge.
For a summary of your feedback and our responses to community questions read the summary below;
East Street Link Cycleway and safety improvements public feedback report (PDF 427KB, 17 pages).
Proposal outcome
Thank you to everyone who responded to our proposal which gave us the chance to better understand your community and concerns. A summary of your feedback and our responses to community questions is below.
This proposal will proceed with a minor change, based on community feedback. The change involves;
- installation of a centre line on the new cycle path
- clear wayfinding signage to guide cyclists along the new path
- installation of a new traffic island between #14 and #16 East Street to ensure clear priority at the intersection
- new ‘No Stopping at All Times’ (broken yellow lines) outside #14 and #16 East Street.
Next steps
Consultation on this project is closed.
The changes outlined in our finalised plans will be implemented from January 2021.
Download the updated drawing for the East Street Link cycling and safety improvements PDF 7.4MB).