Main Street – Pioneer Highway cycleway
We have created a shared pathway connecting the separated cycleway on Main Street/Pioneer Highway to the Longburn shared pathway.
Our elected members decided to keep the flexi posts we installed in 2022, between Pitt and West Streets, until the end of their five-year lifespan. We will then replace them with a more permanent solution.
Pedestrian-controlled traffic lights are currently being installed outside the Pioneer shops to ensure pedestrians and cyclists can get across the street safely. This connects to the new shared pathway along the grass verge.
Construction is taking place now
Fulton Hogan is constructing the new pedestrian-controlled traffic lights on Pioneer Highway.
Construction includes extending and connecting the shared pathway from Shamrock Street to the new crossing location outside the Pioneer Shopping Centre, adjustments to the kerb alignments and new bus stops.
Construction will be ongoing until early-August, and they are working Monday to Friday, from 7am to 5pm.
Access to the shopping centre car park will always be available and the road will remain open for the duration of construction. There may be brief periods when the traffic plan is altered to allow the contractor to install specific infrastructure across the road. The right turn from Pioneer into the car park will also be limited for a brief period as Fulton Hogan installs kerbs in that area. We have instructed them to be as efficient as they can in those stages of construction.
You can see images showing the traffic management plan below, which shows you how the road will operate during construction.
The Pedestrian-controlled traffic lights are in the same location as the previous crossing
You can see the concept image below of the traffic light-controlled crossing near the shopping centre on Pioneer Highway.
We are retaining the right-turn bay into the Pioneer Shopping Centre. However, due to the space required for the traffic lights, exiting the car park will be a left turn only to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
The bus stop positioned outside the bakery in the images below has been repositioned to outside Mobil.
We will also install a raised platform at the Shamrock Street intersection to reduce conflicts between vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists as they cross the road.
You most likely know this cycleway for planter boxes
You may recall the use of planter boxes on Pioneer Highway as a trial measure to separate cyclists from vehicles following the first Covid-19 lockdown. This trial was funded by Waka Kotahi – NZ Transport Agency and aimed to encourage cycling and pedestrian initiatives.
In March 2022, the Council decided to replace the planter boxes with flexi poles, which are currently in place, as a temporary solution until the permanent cycleway is designed.
This cycleway is a priority under our Urban Cycle Masterplan
The Main Street – Pioneer Highway cycleway is a crucial component of our Urban Cycle Masterplan. It is one of the top 10 priority routes aimed at creating a safe network of protected cycleways throughout the city.
This cycleway will connect the Longburn Shared Path, the Mangaone Stream Shared Pathway, and our western suburbs with the city centre – providing a significant distance for cyclists to safely travel around Palmerston North.
Why are we building cycleways?
Our Urban Cycle Network Masterplan is a vital component of our city's growth and transportation strategy. As the number of vehicles on our roads continues to increase, cycling offers a sustainable and efficient alternative for daily commutes. By creating a network of protected cycleways, we aim to make cycling a safer and more attractive choice for residents and visitors, reducing congestion and improving overall transport options.
While we acknowledge that cycling may have limitations, such as weather and transporting children, we hope that over time, people will consider different transport choices, feeling safer and more encouraged to cycle, even if only for a few days each week.
Location
Pioneer Highway, Takaro 4412 View Map
-40.36212151925734, 175.59788754400512
Pioneer Highway ,
Takaro 4412
Pioneer Highway ,
Takaro 4412
Main Street – Pioneer Highway cycleway