NZTA will release plan for North Shore sea path in 2019

The New Zealand Transport Agency says it is desperate to overcome minor hurdles holding back Auckland’s proposed SeaPath.

SeaPath is a proposed three-kilometre shared walking and cycling connection between Onewa and Takapuna, on Auckland’s North Shore.

NZTA aims to develop a detailed business case, which will propose how SeaPath can be delivered, and have a concrete plan in place by 2019.

NZTA representative for SeaPath, Rebekah Poura-Ward, spoke at Bike Auckland’s annual meeting this week.

With the $33m funding yet to be confirmed, Ms Poura-Ward said: “The funding [would be] key to getting Stage 1 of SeaPath started.

“We want to build the whole thing in [one] go but a $33m budget will only stage it."

SeaPath is being proposed to be built in two stages: the first stage from Onewa Road to Takapuna and connecting with the existing Northcote Safe Cycle Route in the area.

A second stage would connect Onewa Road to the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

NZTA believes the Government does want to complete the whole project from the offset and will know further details about stage two in the near future.

SeaPath was proposed for its connectivity and environmental benefits and Ms Poura-Ward believes that the construction of the path will follow environmental protocols.

“The path may narrow in some places, divert or ascend to avoid disrupting existing trees or structures.

“The path may also divert to safely cross on and off ramps at the motorway,” she said.

During community consultation for SeaPath in 2016, more than 2600 people provided feedback, with more than 95 per cent indicating support for the three-kilometre walking and cycling link.