The 'burbs via scenic route

Artists impression of the new cycleway at Whau River Bridge. Photo / Auckland Transport

Walking, cycling pathway will link New Lynn and Avondale.

It's been tipped as one of the most scenic routes in Auckland and now the public can have their say on a new $17.7 million shared path connecting New Lynn to Avondale.

Auckland Transport is today revealing plans for the 2.9km walking and cycling path. Construction is set to start early next year once the bridge is completed.

The route will follow the rail line from the New Lynn Transport Interchange through green spaces to just east of Blockhouse Bay Rd and will include an "eye-catching bridge" near Olympic Park where the path crosses the Whau River.

To the east, it will link up with the Waterview Shared Path, which is under construction and will create a continuous link from New Lynn all the way to the city centre via the Northwestern Cycleway.

It will also connect with the proposed Te Whau Pathway which follows the west side of the Whau River in Avondale. To the west, it will connect with New Lynn town centre and transport interchange.

The planned new purpose-built bridge over the Whau River is to have bright yellow barriers and will be fenced off from the railway line and neighbouring properties. The Whau Local Board contributed $2 million to the crossing.

The local board's chairwoman, Catherine Farmer, said the bridge would ensure that it takes 20 minutes by cycling, walking or public transport "to everything we need".

"It's great to see one of our flagship projects taking shape," she said.

Funding for the rest of the project will come from local sources and the Urban Cycleways Programme - a partnership between the Government, Auckland Transport, Auckland Council and the New Zealand Transport Agency - which is providing a $200 million programme of cycle improvements across the Auckland region over the next three years.

Auckland Transport's cycling and walking manager, Kathryn King, said the New Lynn-to-Avondale shared path would give people living in the area better travel options.

"Over the summer, there have been lots of families cycling to parks, beaches and local shops throughout Auckland," she said. "Once completed, it will make it easier to walk and cycle to places like Unitec and ... to the New Lynn town centre."

Have your say on the proposed route.