Northern Arterial and Queen Elizabeth II Drive Four-laning

NZTA are investigating Options for a new four-lane arterial road from the existing Christchurch Northern Motorway and running east of Belfast (SH1) to connect with Queen Elizabeth II Drive (QEII Drive – SH74), as well as the widening of QEII Drive to four lanes between Main North Road and Innes Road.

NZTA states that "the proposal includes consideration of a parallel cycle/walkway connecting with Owen Mitchell Park in the south, running alongside the arterial and connecting with the old state highway bridge over the Waimakariri River in the north, via local roads."

Lets hope this is more than a proposal, as cycle paths along the proposed arterial could, with appropriate linkages, potentially provide a key cycling route to the north of the city.

Details and a basic plan of the project can be found at:
http://www.nzta.govt.nz/network/projects/christchurch-northern-corridor/docs/brochure.pdf 

Submissions closed on 19 March 2010.

The following submission was sent by email to NZTA on behalf of Spokes:

Thanks for the opportunity to make comments on this initial consultation over the proposed Northern Arterial and QE II Drive Four laning.

We note that the proposal includes "consideration of a parallel cycle/walkway connecting with Owen Mitchell Park in the south, running
alongside the arterial and connecting with the old state highway bridge over the Waimakariri River in the north, via local roads".

Spokes considers that a parallel cycleway with connections to an upgraded old state highway bridge should be an integral part of the proposed northern arterial corridor.  Inclusion of such a cycleway would provide a safe and convenient cycling route between Christchurch, Kaiapoi and points further north and be consistent with the New Zealand Transport Strategy, the Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy, the Greater Christchurch Travel Demand Strategy, and the CCC Belfast Area Plan (see attached map).  The cycleway would also be consistent with the State Highway Geometric Design Manual.

While we would support a linkage between the proposed cycleway and Owen Mitchell Park, we would be concerned if the cycleway ended at this point, as other than providing a linkage to Redwood, this would not provide connectivity with the existing cycle path down QE II Drive or the rest of the Christchurch cycling network.  As a result the northern arterial cycleway would be unlikely to be effectively utilised. To establish effective linkages to the Christchurch network the proposed cycleway should extend to and across QE II Drive (preferably via grade separation) and provision should be made for connecting cycleways to be incorporated within the proposed links to Cranford Street and Hills Road.

We consider that any cycleway should be adequately separated from the Northern Arterial carriageway for health and safety reasons, and to improve user experience.  The recently constructed Curletts Road cycle path (SH 73) provides a good model for such separation.  To enhance user experience, screen planting or other forms of screening should also be considered.  The creation of at least one cycling and pedestrian "rest area" well separated from the arterial carriageway could also be considered.

Linkages should be provided between the cycleway and all roads crossed by (or immediately adjacent to) the northern arterial.  Provision should be made for the proposed railway cycle path in the design of the northern arterial crossing of the main north railway, and for connections between the northern arterial cycleway and the railway path. Where existing local roads are blocked off due to the formation of the northern arterial, consideration should be given to constructing a cycling and pedestrian underpass.

We note that the Belfast Area Plan shows a possible cycleway along the northern arterial terminating at the junction of the arterial and the existing motorway, and the railway path terminating at the junction of the railway and the arterial.  While we would support the cycleway continuing to Main North Road, there would appear to be little purpose in continuing past this point unless it is proposed to provide for cycleways parallel to the existing motorway and bridge.  The best solution for a cycling linkage on to the old state highway bridge over the Waimakariri river may be for both the cycleway and the railway path to follow the railway from its intersection with the northern arterial to the bridge.

Thanks again for the opportunity to comment.  Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries or require further information.

Yours sincerely

Robin Delamore
Cycling Improvements convenor - Spokes