Making the east and west stitch work
The Strand – Grafton Gully boulevard
The CCMP promotes a multiway boulevard as an alternative to the planned SH16 motorway completion. This transport corridor would improve traffic flow. It would also improve public realm, enable walking and cycling connections and unlock development opportunities.
The concept, which supports Access for Everyone (A4E), proposes tree-lined local access streets running parallel to a central heavy vehicle carriageway dedicated to efficient through traffic to the eastern suburbs and the port area. Safe and attractive footpaths and cycleways would run along either side of the boulevard.
Crossing Stanley Street and The Strand would become simpler and safer.
This would support people moving between:
- Parnell and the city centre
- the city centre and The Domain
- the Learning Quarter and the Museum, and beyond to the new Khyber Pass campus.
New developments
The concept requires additional road corridor width - however, removal of existing motorway designations would both enable and stimulate new development.
It could enable a new technology precinct, or student accommodation.
Early estimates suggest building developments could provide housing for 1300 residents and commercial space for 1500 workers (potentially linked to the Learning Quarter universities, given their proximity).
New bus interchange
At the southern extent, the boulevard could connect to a new bus interchange integrated into the Learning Quarter at Wellesley Street West.
The access streets would provide for local parking, cycle lanes, and ample pedestrian amenity, while unlocking the mixed-use development potential of adjoining residual land owned largely by the Crown.
Te Tōangaroa / Quay Park
Te Tōangaroa / Quay Park area is sandwiched between The Strand, Beach Road and Quay Street and centered on a largely underused triangle of rail land.
It represents the largest development opportunity in terms of footprint in the city centre, after Wynyard Quarter.
High-density living could be mixed with commercial and retail uses and even modern, clean and green manufacturing or maker spaces.
There are opportunities for new public spaces and a potential eastern transport hub. This could accommodate intercity and local rail services connecting to the new bus network.
Te Tōangaroa Masterplan concept
See the concepts of Te Tōangaroa Masterplan, produced by Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei:
Te Tōangaroa Masterplan conceptual framework (PDF)
Albert Park tunnels reopening
This private sector proposal could provide walking and cycling connections from Parnell to the Waihorotiu / Queen Street Valley.
Two entrances to the tunnel within the university campus would provide a five-minute walk to Aotea CRL station.
Symonds Street
Following the full implementation of Access for Everyone, the central section of Symonds Street running through the Learning Quarter – comprising the city centre campuses of AUT and The University of Auckland – could be redesigned as a pedestrian friendly, multi-modal corridor.
This would improve the connectivity of the campuses as part of the eastern stitch.
Wellesley Street
Wellesley Street (bus transit street) and Victoria Street (linear park) would be developed as "Two Great Streets" with enhanced public realm and access to public transport.
See Transformational move 5: Transit oriented development and Transformational move 6: The Green Link.
Hobson and Nelson streets
It is proposed that Nelson and Hobson streets be transformed into more liveable green twin boulevards.
This would enhance the local street network, improving walking and cycling access to and from the city centre for Freeman’s Bay, Ponsonby and areas further west.
It would also create a more favourable first or last impression of the city for those entering and leaving via the motorway network and increase the attractiveness of this area as a location for business.
It also helps deliver A4E on the western edge of the city centre.
Mayoral Drive
Mayoral Drive provides a strategic east-west traffic connection. It also accommodates substantial pedestrian flows and is the main frontage of Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
Mayoral Drive would need to be able to support movement for A4E while enabling frontage activity.
