We’re building a shared pathway on Main Street/Pioneer Highway
Published on 17 October 2023
We’re building a shared pathway that connects the Main Street/Pioneer Highway cycleway to the Longburn shared pathway.
When flexi posts were installed last year, we didn’t install these in the stretch between the Pioneer Shopping Centre and Botanical Road. That’s because we were working on the design to extend the shared path from Longburn into this area of Main Street where there is a very large berm on side of the road. This will mean there is a safe protected cycleway connection from Longburn all the way into the city centre.
Traffic lights will be installed by the shopping centre for pedestrians to safely cross the road, and this will also be for people on bikes to use to cross and access the shared pathway. The traffic lights will only turn red for motorists if a pedestrian or cyclist activates them.
Our contractor Fulton Hogan will start this work late this month by building the shared pathway near Shamrock Street and gradually working towards the Botanical intersection. The traffic light-controlled crossing will be built at the end of the construction period.
Acting Transport Manager Bryce Hosking says due to the space required for the traffic lights, people exiting the shopping centre will only be able to turn left towards Botanical Road. People will still be able to turn right to get into the shopping centre. This makes it safer for pedestrians, people on bikes and other motorists.
Mr Hosking says the Main Street – Pioneer Highway cycleway is one of the priority routes in our Urban Cycle Masterplan to create a safe network of protected cycleways throughout the city. This work will complete the final section of the cycleway.
“This cycleway connects the Longburn Shared Pathway, the Mangaone Stream Shared Pathway, and our western suburbs with the city centre – providing a significant distance for people on bikes to safely travel around Palmerston North.”
In addition to the Main Street – Pioneer Highway cycleway, we are also working on other cycleway projects around the city. As part of recent funding from Waka Kotahi – NZ Transport Agency, protected cycleways will also be installed on Summerhill Drive and Featherston Street in early-2024.
Mr Hosking says we are creating a network of protected cycleways to make cycling a safer and more attractive choice for residents and visitors.
“While we acknowledge that cycling may at times 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.”
For more information, visit our webpage pncc.govt.nz/mainst.