We’d like to inform you of some important developments regarding the Featherston Street and Summerhill Drive/SH57 cycleway and pedestrian safety upgrades, which are being funded through the Transport Choices programme from Waka Kotahi - NZ Transport Agency.
These projects are integral to our commitment to providing safer and more accessible transport options for everyone in our city, and they are top priorities in our Urban Cycle Network Masterplan.
Waka Kotahi recently informed Councils it is putting a hold on the funding for its Transport Choices programme until the new transport minister takes office.
This programme formed part of the previous Government’s Climate Emergency Response Fund supporting transport projects which help reduce carbon emissions.
Our Council has three projects which are funded by the Transport Choices programme:
- Cycleway and pedestrian safety upgrades on Summerhill Drive/SH57
- Cycleway and pedestrian safety upgrades on two sections of Featherston Street between Botanical Road to Aroha Street and North to Ruahine Streets
- Construction of new bus stops and shelters throughout the city.
Cycleway construction proceeding between Palmerston North Boys High School and Central Normal School
We have separate funding through Waka Kotahi’s Streets for People programme for cycleway and pedestrian improvements on Featherston Street between Aroha Street and North Street – which includes the area around Central Normal, Palmerston North Boys’ High, McDonald’s, Countdown and the Rangitikei intersection.
This work is not impacted by the current hold on Transport Choices funding and will proceed this summer as planned. This includes a separated cycleway, two raised pedestrian crossings at the schools and some minor changes to the Rangitikei intersection.
We’ve met with Waka Kotahi to get more clarity about the decision and next steps
These cycleway projects have seen thousands of hours of staff and community time as we’ve worked on designing the street together. We have asked that when a Minister is appointed, we get the go-ahead to proceed with construction with urgency. Part of our planning for these projects was to time construction over summer when our roads are less busy and school holidays are occurring.
If funding proceeds, the change in construction timeframe will see more disruption to our residents' journeys as our roads are busier later in autumn/winter with the significant traffic management that will be required.
We’ll provide another update when we receive news from Waka Kotahi
We have successfully completed the design phases for the cycleway improvements on Featherston Street and Summerhill Drive. We met all the milestones required by Waka Kotahi during this period, ensuring our projects are ready for construction when funding becomes available.
If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at cycleways@pncc.govt.nz.
We appreciate your understanding and remain committed to creating a safer transport network for everyone in our community.