Construction of cycleway to start next month
The construction of Cambridge’s first dedicated two-way cycleway is set to kick off early next month on Hamilton Road.
Work will commence from 1 April on the first stage of a three-part project which will see a cycleway built from the Victoria Street roundabout out to the Avantidrome. The first stage is expected to take four months to complete.
The cycleway will be the first separated two-way cycleway to be constructed in Waipā. It signals the start of a move to transform the town into a well-connected hub for walking and cycling.
Waipā District Council group manager Dawn Inglis said it was a milestone for Council and the community.
“This is a very exciting time for Cambridge. We’ll be breaking ground on a project we believe will make a big difference to residents over time.
“We are expecting a huge amount of growth in the coming years so it is crucial we are investing in cycling infrastructure to help get people out of their cars and onto their bikes.”
Inglis said the first stage of the project would take place from Bryce Street where the cycleway would connect with an existing shared pathway and link up to a second existing shared pathway on the town belt past Vogel Street.
As part of the first stage, both sides of Grey Street and the south side of Hall Street where they meet Hamilton Road will be changed into a one-way exit. This is to improve the safety of the streets and make them cycle-friendly by significantly slowing down the speed of traffic.
Plans also include an upgrade of the crossing on Hamilton Road to replace the existing zebra crossing with pedestrian traffic lights.
Inglis said the improvements to Hamilton Road were much needed given the high volume of traffic using the road and the number of walkers and cyclists needing to cross the road.
“We now have about 11,000 vehicles per day using this road and those numbers will increase as Cambridge grows.
“This road is also a main throughfare for kids heading to school and cyclists heading into town so we need to make sure it’s easy and safe for them to use. Traffic lights are the most effective way to ensure this.”
The entire project, including stage two from Vogel Street to Kelly Road and stage three from Kelly Road to the Avantidrome, will be constructed over the next three years.
Over half of the cycleway will be funded by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and the remainder through development contributions and funds set aside in the 2018-2028 Long Term Plan.
Residents on Hamilton Road and the surrounding street will be notified by letter prior to work commencing.
More information on the project is available at www.waipadc.govt.nz/hamiltonroadcycleway.
