Project WAVE - Connecting the Nelson Street Cycleway to the Quay Street Cycleway Project WAVE - Connecting the Nelson Street Cycleway to the Quay Street Cycleway
Auckland Transport is looking to improve access for people on bikes by connecting the Nelson Street Cycleway to the Viaduct and Quay Street by building a cycleway along Market Place, Customs Street West and Lower Hobson Street.
Project status: Consultation - last updated 18 March 2021.
Project zone: Central
Project overview
Project WAVE - Connecting the Nelson Street Cycleway to the Quay Street Cycleway.
Project WAVE (Westhaven and Viaduct Enhancements) looks to improve access for people on bikes in the Viaduct Harbour and Westhaven areas. To ensure the cycleway does not have an adverse impact on businesses along the route, we will install a trial cycleway. The idea behind the trial is to test out our design over a period of months and make refinements. During this period, we’ll engage with the local community, with people making deliveries, taxi and rideshare operators, and with people who walk and ride through the area. They’ll help us assess what’s working and what’s not, so we can make changes.
We are carrying out the trial using a low-cost, low-risk and low-commitment approach that gives the community to try the design out for themselves and provide invaluable feedback. A temporary cycleway will allow us make changes quickly.
Timeline
- March 2021 - trial begins.
- June 2021 - trial ends
- End of June 2021 - we will assess the long-term future of the trial, including the installation of a permanent cycleway connection.
Project details
Previous community consultation and feedback
Designing a cycleway on Lower Hobson Street has long been a challenge. A similar plan that was part of a different project was consulted on in 2017 and was well received by the wider community. However, it raised a number issues for businesses around the Viaduct area, especially relating to deliveries.
There was another consultation on improvements to Market Place. From 13 February to 8 March 2020, the public were invited to provide feedback on a proposed two-way physically separated cycleway along the western side of Market Place between Pakenham Street East and Custom Street West. In total, 554 submissions were received, of which 442 submissions supported the plan with some amendments.
AT has convened a working group for the project that includes Tramco, Heart of the City, Bike Auckland, Panuku and a representative from Waitematā Local Board. We will be meeting with them regularly to update them on progress and to address issues that may arise.
AT will gather information throughout the trial period from businesses, residents and visitors to the area to help make decisions decision. Please let us know what you think about the changes made as part of the trial.
Proposed works include:
- A two-way cycleway along Market Place, Customs Street West and Lower Hobson Street
Market Place will become one-way - Customs Street West, between Lower Hobson Street and Pakenham Street East, will become one-way
- Changes to the Loading Zone and Taxi Stand on Lower Hobson Street. Changes include:
- The Loading Zone will operate between 9am and 4pm and 7pm and 6am
- A clearway will operate between 6am and 9am and 4pm and 7pm and the Loading Zone will be unavailable
- While the clearway is operating, delivery providers will need to use the Loading Zone on Customs Street West
- Additional Loading Zones on Custom Street West
- The current Loading Zone on Customs Street West will be relocated.
Map showing location of the cycleways.
Including previous community feedback into the cycleway design
What you told us: There is a lack of a safe, attractive route for people on bikes to connect with the waterfront.
What we’ll trial:
- A two-way cycleway along Market Place, Customs Street West and Lower Hobson Street.
Bike and scooter parking areas.
What you told us: Within a busy street environment, businesses need easy, accessible loading zones.
What we’ll trial:
- A new loading zone on Customs Street West, outside the Tepid Baths.
- A new loading zone at 110 Customs Street West (outside Corner Fusion Café).
- An extension of the existing loading zone opposite 110 Customs Street West (Viaduct Basin side). This will become a taxi and rideshare stand after 6pm.
- A clearway on Lower Hobson Street, between 6am and 9am and 4pm and 7pm. A loading zone will operate outside of these times, similar to existing. This loading zone will no longer accommodate taxis – provision moves to Customs Street West.
What you told us: Taxi and rideshare activity, along with rat-running, increases traffic and reduces safety for people.
What we’ll trial:
- Market Place becomes one-way (northbound). Customs Street West becomes one-way (westbound/southbound), between Lower Hobson Street and Pakenham Street East. Our aim is to create a calmer, consistent street environment.
- Additional speed cushions to slow vehicle speeds.
What you told us: There are a lack of safe road crossings at locations where people want to cross the road.
What we’ll trial:
- New pedestrian crossings to be located where people currently cross informally.
Have your say
If you have feedback on any aspect of the cycleway, either now or during the trial, please contact us. If something isn’t working or causing problems, we want to address it promptly.
After feedback closes
We’ll listen to all the feedback we receive, and together with your community representatives decide the best way to move forward.
- If you provided your email or address with your feedback, we will share the outcome with you.
- Should the proposal go ahead, we’ll let you know when to expect construction. We will work closely with community representatives to make sure traffic and noise are well managed.
