Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path - November update

Kia ora,
In our final update for the year, you’ll find details about:

• A Section 4 feedback summary, including the full feedback summary report
• How your feedback has influenced the Section 4 boardwalk balustrade design
• The next steps for getting construction started on Section 4
• A construction progress update video for Section 2
• Information about our Christmas shutdown period for Section 2

We want to take this time to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and to thank you for your support and patience throughout some challenging times during construction.

We know this year has been a tough one, so we’re looking forward to celebrating the opening of Section 2 with the community next year.

Artist's impression, view of boardwalk from Ngapipi Road

Feedback on the design of Section 4 (Ōrākei Basin to Tāmaki Drive)

In August, we asked for your views on the proposed design for Section 4 of the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path. Thanks to everyone who gave feedback.

We heard from 355 people and were delighted that more than 80% of people told us they like the design. This is a great result and reflects the care the team took to include key stakeholder and community feedback from other sections of the path into the design process.

Here are the most mentioned topics or key themes:

• Build a connection to the path from Kepa Road roundabout.
• Prioritise path users at the Ōrākei Train Station entrance (Ōrākei Road).
• Ensure good sightlines.
• Please hurry up and build it.
• This path will be a great community asset.
• The design looks safe.
• I like the design aesthetic.
• Please separate users or widen the path.

A connection at Kepa Road roundabout is not in scope of this project, however, the bridge/ boardwalk is being designed and built so that it is future proofed for a connection here. 

We will also investigate scope for widening the path following Ngapipi Road (excluding where it runs past the boatsheds where space is limited). The boardwalk is 4.5m wide and will not be widened further. As a shared path, we expect people to use it with care and travel at speeds that respect other users.

You can read the full feedback report here, and if you have any questions please get in touch.

Artist's impression boardwalk balustrade and deck detail.

The boardwalk balustrade

Community feedback received through this consultation and other sections of the path – including the Orakei Basin Boardwalk - has highlighted the importance of a low (1.2m) and more permeable (or ‘see through’) balustrade, so people can take in views of the surrounding environment. We received very positive feedback about the design, including about it being sympathetic and fitting with the environment, but to avoid any doubt or surprises when construction starts, we will build a prototype balustrade and display this locally so people can see the design in person. We will let you know when this is ready and where to view it. 

We were asked how permeability compares with the Section 3 balustrade, so we produced a pack giving more detail about the design. You can view this pack here.

Getting started

Phasing delivery means that work can start earlier on the short sections of Section 4 that follow the road (from Ōrākei Basin Boardwalk to Purewa Bridge and Ngāpipi Road). This will give people a safe and convenient connection to Tāmaki Drive before the boardwalk section opens. 

You will see our crews starting work early January in the area where the path connects to Ōrākei Basin Boardwalk and along Ōrākei Road. There will be minimal impact on traffic. Cars may be slowed as they pass by the work areas, but no vehicle lanes will be closed. Wayfinding signs will be in place to direct pedestrians and cyclists around the work areas. 

The timeline to complete the boardwalk depends on the duration of the consenting phase – which will start next year - and any conditions imposed. Construction, which we estimate taking 14 months, can get underway if consent is granted.

Click the link above to watch the progress video

Section 2: Progress video

See what we’ve been up to on section 2 of the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Drive Shared Path between St Johns Road and the Ōrākei Basin over the last six months.

In this update you can see the path really starting to take shape, including the bridge that spans across the eastern rail line and the boardwalks through Pourewa Valley and Tahapa Reserve, which are now largely completed.

The project is progressing well, and we are on track to completion by mid-2022.

Click the link to watch the video.

Section 2: Christmas shutdown period

The project team will be hanging up their hi-vis and hard hats and swapping them for jandals and togs as they enjoy a well-earned holiday between Christmas and 10 January 2022.

We want to remind the community and our project neighbours that Section 2 is not open to the public yet. We know everyone is excited to use it, but we respectfully ask the public not to access the path at any location over the Christmas holidays as it is still a live construction site and a health and safety risk to anyone who enters

In the New Year work will continue with the installation of handrails, lighting on the bridge structures and boardwalks and completing the concrete path from the gully bridge to Kohimarama Road. The team will also be full steam ahead on the John Rymer Place connection with the boardwalk and concrete path.

More information

To find out more about the project, or you have any questions:

• visit www.nzta.govt.nz/GI2T or www.at.govt.nz/easternpath
• phone 09 355 3553
• email GI2T@nzta.govt.nz