Cambridge Connections – our future transport plan
Feedback has now closed
Thank you to those who submitted their feedback on the Cambridge Connections project.
The next steps will be to:
- Complete this initial feedback phase
- Analyse the feedback and close the loop with the community
- Consider the outcomes of the independent review
- Prepare the funding business case to submit to the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
- Wait for the decision on whether or not the business case is endorsed
- If funding is received, undertake consultation with the community on funding further investigation as part of a future Long Term Plan.
Bridge off the table
The proposed bridge location for the Cambridge Connections Project is off the table.
We have received more than 300 pieces of feedback about the project, and we acknowledge the overwhelming interest in the proposed bridge’s location.
There is no doubt that another bridge will be required in Cambridge in the long term. On reflection, a lot more work has to be done on where a proposed bridge should be built. We will proceed with a business case for the funding of more detailed investigations, but we will not be promoting a future bridge location at this point in time.
We still want people to have their say about the other measures being proposed, which include intersection upgrades, traffic signals, improved walking and cycling facilities and additional passenger transport services.
Background
Cambridge Connections is a project that will shape Cambridge’s transport infrastructure for the next 30 years. It comes out of the Waipā Transport Strategy's objectives and outcomes.
The project considers how to reduce traffic demand, provide transport alternatives, and maximise use of existing infrastructure. It also includes options for a new bridge.
As part of this project, we are considering national climate change targets and ways to encourage and enable more walking, cycling and use of public transport.
A key outcome of the project will be developing a business case for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to help fund further investigations.
We now have three options to share with the community, these are detailed below.
The options explained
Community feedback from the Waipā Transport Strategy and Ahu Ake - Waipā Community Spatial Plan consultations have helped bring the Cambridge Connections project and options to life. A Project Steering Group has been established to consider this complex project.
The group includes Councillors and Cambridge Community Board members as well as iwi representatives, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi representatives, the heavy freight industry, regional transport planning experts and others.
Options from a list of potential ideas has now been assessed in detail and prioritised into a shortlist of options. We also incorporated detailed traffic modelling to see how well the shortlisted options deliver on solving our transport challenges for Cambridge. The traffic modelling ensures the scenarios we present for further testing, research, and consultation are robust so that we can get a clear view of the impact of our recommendations.
The proposed bridge location the Cambridge Connection Project is off the table. There is however, no doubt that another bridge will be required in Cambridge in the long term. This project will be decades in the making. On reflection, a lot more work has to be done on where a proposed bridge should be built. We will proceed with a business case for the funding of more detailed investigations, but we will not be promoting a future bridge location at this point in time.
You can download and view each option's map and below. All business as usual assumptions are included in all options.
Download: Current and future traffic patterns
Option A
View the option A map. This map consists of road building to manage congestion with a focus on enabling private vehicle usage.
- Enabling private car transport through road widening of main roads
- Some small improvements to public transport to Hamilton
- Road safety improvements
- Victoria Bridge - walking and cycling only.
Option B
View the option B map.
This option is about improving transport choices for walking, cycling and public transport.
- Urban mobility network
- Improved frequency of public transport to Hamilton (20-30 mins)
- Local Cambridge public transport service (20 mins)
- Road safety improvements
- Main road access improvements – Victoria Road, Victoria Street, Carters Flat & Shakespeare Street.
Option C
View the option C map. This option is about enhancing transport choices for walking, cycling and public transport.
- Enhanced urban mobility network (with separated cycleways)
- Improved frequency of public transport to Hamilton (20- 30 mins)
- Local Cambridge public transport service (10 mins)
- Road safety improvements
- Main road access improvements – Victoria Road, Victoria Street, Carters Flat & Shakespeare Street
- Town centre streetscape improvements.
Business as usual
View the business as usual map. This map showcases our current committed projects. Business as usual assumptions are included in all the above options.
- All projects planned in the Long Term Plan and projects currently being built and developments/growth areas.
- 2024 new bus services contract
- Ongoing maintenance of Victoria Bridge
- No new river crossing.
Timelines
In summary, the next steps will be to:
- Complete the initial feedback phase
- Analyse the feedback and close the loop with the community
- Prepare the funding business case to submit to the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi
- Wait for the decision on whether or not the business case is endorsed
- If funding is received, undertake consultation with the community on funding further investigation as part of a future Long Term Plan.
You can also download the long term view we are working towards which includes a brief history, where we are now and next steps to the a Long Term Plan.
Community engagement with affected property owners, Iwi and Mana whenua, stakeholders and the wider community are critical steps within this planning process.
Decision points require Council and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi approval and funding to allow progress.
Download: Current timeline and future to 2040 and beyond
Developing a business case
We will be reviewing the feedback. This information, along with the previous engagement from the Waipā Transport Strategy and Ahu Ake - Waipā Community Spatial Plan consultations, and the traffic modelling reports will help us develop the business case.
The business case will be shared with elected members and will follow the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi recommended approach to align with Government policy and its funding application process.
Background and FAQs
Stakeholder information presentation
Below is the presentation presented to key stakeholders. It showcases the options and outlines the emerging preferred option.
To view the below presentation as a document, please download a copy.
June 2023 - testing our recommendations through traffic data modelling
The project team continues to make steady progress with developing our business case as we prepare to finalise recommendations for ‘Cambridge Connections’ – Our Future Transport Plan, defining the shape of Cambridge’s transport infrastructure for the next 30 years.
The long list of potential ideas, including possible ways to increase cycling and walking, improve passenger transport and address safety and congestion, has now been assessed in detail and prioritised into a shortlist of options.
The next stage is to use detailed traffic modelling to see how well the shortlisted options deliver on solving our transport problems for Cambridge.
The traffic modelling phase is running slightly behind schedule, but this must be completed to ensure the scenarios we present for testing are robust so that we can get as clear a view of the impact of our recommendations as possible.
Once we receive and review the modelling outcomes, the team can confirm the emerging preferred option that will be submitted to Waka Kotahi for funding endorsement.
The next stages of the Cambridge Connections project are:
- The Project Stakeholder Group will review and confirm the proposed short list and preferred programme – March (date to be confirmed)
- Key stakeholders will be invited to information sessions to comment on the shortlist late February / early March 2024
- The final business case is due to be finalised by May 2024
April 2023 - a shortlist of prioritised recommendations emerging
Work to finalise recommendations for long-term future transport options for Cambridge is continuing well, with a first draft of the Strategic Case now complete.
The Strategic Case is an important part of the business case and provides the background supporting evidence, stakeholder-agreed problems and benefits, and investment objectives.
The Cambridge Connections Project Stakeholder Group, with input from key stakeholders, has identified a range of transport problems facing Cambridge and evaluated the benefits of addressing these problems.
From there, a long list of potential ideas was identified, including possible ways to increase cycling and walking, improve passenger transport, address key hotspots around safety and congestion. A third bridge for Cambridge is also in the mix.
The next stage is to sift that long list down to a shortlist by testing to see how well the idea delivers on solving our problems.
A prioritised shortlist will be further developed which will aim to meet the transport needs of a growing and changing Cambridge community. Thereafter, a preferred programme will be recommended to be taken forward for future funding.
The next stages of the Cambridge Connections project are:
- The Project Stakeholder Group will review and confirm the proposed short list and preferred programme – March (date to be confirmed)
- Key stakeholders will be invited to information sessions to comment on the shortlist late February / early March 2024
- The final business case is due to be finalised by May 2024
December 2022
The Cambridge Connections project, preparing the business case for future transport options for Cambridge, is on schedule. The main problems to be addressed have been identified, along with a shortlist of the benefits of investing in solutions for those problems.
Recent stakeholder information sessions sought feedback from a range of interest groups. We spoke to people representing sectors including local retail and industry, environmental and cycling groups, to name a few.
These sessions collected feedback on priorities stakeholders felt should be included for Cambridge’s transport system. Ideas included public transport improvements, safer and more accessible cycling and walking networks, preserving Cambridge’s unique character, protecting the environment (noting significance of the Waikato River) as well as the impacts of industrial and residential growth areas and growing traffic congestion.
The concerns of the wider community were discussed, from school transport to the needs of residents in retirement villages, as well as specific issues around particular trouble-spots. Potential locations for a third bridge were also included in the ideas for solving future transport problems.
The next stage is to work through the ideas tabled from all contributors and develop a list of transport options to test with stakeholders early in 2024. Once the preferred programme is identified, recommendations from Cambridge Connections will be included in the 2024 10-Year Plan for public consultation and presented to Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency and other potential funders for funding and implementation.
Frequently asked questions
During the course of the project, we have been developing some frequently asked questions. They include questions around a third bridge, funding and current works to ease traffic concerns in the short-term.
Download: Frequently asked questions
Supporting documents
- Current data, growth impacts, traffic patterns and investigation: This document is outlines the statistics around the modelling information that has fed into this project.
- Stakeholder Information Sessions presentation: Held on November 30 and December 2 2022 and gives a summary of the problems and issues that have been identified and the benefits of investing in addressing them.
- Feedback Table: The feedback collected in the Stakeholder Information Sessions has been collated into this table, showing the issues, constraints and ideas that have been suggested.
- Workshop Feedback Map: Key ideas have also been put onto this map of the area.
Media releases
- Review to be undertaken into Cambridge Connections, 30 April 2024
- Bridge location off the table for Cambridge Connections, 10 April 2024
- All Cambridge Connections options remain on table, 21 March 2024
- Cambridge future transport option open for feedback, 28 February 2024
- Group set to tackle transport jigsaw, 13 September 2022
- Transport specialists appointed, 7 October 2022