“The same projects that make cities better for people to live in are those that positively contribute to the Government’s and Hamilton’s climate change objectives.”
Councillors specifically asked to keep a close eye over the detail of 16 projects, which are a combination of those costing more than $1.5 million or in an area of particular interest including projects on the Western Rail Trail and Bader Street.
Council public transport and urban mobility manager Martin Parkes said, “Our goal is to fix unsafe and difficult parts along key travel routes to make them more accessible for people who walk, bus and bike.”
The funding comes from the Transport Choices fund, part of the Government’s Climate Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which was made available to all councils across New Zealand in 2022. The Transport Agency’s contribution is $33.2 million, with council contributing a further $3.8 million to bring the total package of projects to $37 million. The funding was approved by the council on February 3. Council approved the final list of projects today.
CERF projects are required to be completed by June 30, 2024. Parkes said while it was a tight timeframe, community consultation would take priority.
“Now that council has approved the final list of projects, our first priority will be to consult with businesses and residents in each area as the projects develop,” he said.
“It looks like a long list but we’ve done a fair amount of planning already to get to this point. Even if some of these projects seem small they’re essential parts of the larger task of making Hamilton a better place to live,” said Parkes.
The Government published its Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) in May last year. One of the key actions in the plan is for New Zealand to reduce its reliance on cars and support people to walk, cycle, and use public transport. Projects that would help achieve this were those that improved the reach, frequency, and quality of public transport, increasing support for walking and cycling, and creating safer, more-attractive streets.
The projects will continue to be monitored by the Infrastructure and Transport Committee.
Strategic cycling and micromobility
- Bader Strconnection to River Path, and hospital
- Killarney Rd – SH1C Greenwood St to Western Rail Trail (WRT)
- Gallagher and Kahikatea Drives
- Heaphy Tce – Boundary Rd to Brooklyn Road
- Pedestrian crossing in Brooklyn Rd and cycle Lane development
- Claudelands Park Connection
- End of Trip Facilities – bike and scooter parking
- Frankton East / Lake Domain to Western Rail Trail
- Level Crossing – Killarney Rd
- Bike Parklets – Grey St, St Andrews Shops, and Barton St
- Western Rail Trail (WRT) to Frankton Station
- Rifle Range d – SH23 (Massey St) to Avalon Drive (SH1C)
- Hall St/Mill St – between Kent and Victoria Sts
- Riverlea connections
- Killarney Rd – Queens Avee to Western Rail Trail
- Level crossings – Claudelands East and Brooklyn Rd
Public transport
- Bus shelter replacements
- Thackeray St bus stops
- Hukanui Rd bus stops
- Horsham Downs Rd
- Lake Rd/Commerce St roundabout
- Rotokauri Rd / Baverstock Rd bus stop and accessibility
- Hyde Ave bus stop and accessibility
- Pembroke St bus stops
- Anglesea Str (south) bus stop improvement
Walkable neighbourhoods
- Tristram St/Anzac Parade – walking and cycling link from Palmerston to Clarence St
- Hayes Paddock – crossing, bus stop improvement and intersection reconstruction. Bike parking and local interactive space.
- River Rd footpath western side – Kirikiriroa Bridge to Comries Rd
