$30m cycleway vision for Dunedin

A network of cycle routes in Dunedin connecting key destinations has been identified in a "20-to-30-year vision" costing up to $30 million.

Dunedin City Council transportation planning manager Sarah Connolly said the possibility of government funding, merging the work with roading upgrades and spreading it across two or three decades would make the cost easier to bear for ratepayers.

A report on the strategic cycling network for the city will go before the council's planning and environment committee tomorrow.

Staff are asking councillors to approve the issue for public consultation.

A report from transportation policy assistant EmersonYeoman said the projectfollowed an initial review of cycling in Dunedin, and had gone through a stakeholder workshop last year, site visits and an internal review.

Abley Transportation Consultants had been commissioned to develop the network.

The purpose of the network was to identify key cycling corridors, allowing any improvements to be completed in a focused, rather than piecemeal way.

Abley's suggestions for roads included cycle lanes, separated cycle lanes, shared and exclusive cycle paths, tunnels and overpass bridges.

The majority of routes mirrored the city's arterial network, though traffic volumes meant separate facilities for cyclists would be better.

The aim was to strike a balance between costs and providing facilities.

Transportation planning manager Sarah Connolly said the council was responding to public calls through annual plan submissions for cycle facilities, and trying to deal with cycle safety issues.

Expenditure in the report was estimated at between $12 million and $20 million, excluding the harbour circuit already being funded, and the Mosgiel to Dunedin route, which was being considered separately under the council's southern cycleway initiative.

Tunnels, bridges and underpasses and some other costs were also not included.

A 50% contingency was expected to be enough to cover those costs.

Ms Connolly said the $18 million to $30 million cost was new money - not in the annual plan - but did not include the possibility of New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) funding, which it might attract.

Work could be done alongside other roading work, which would lower the cost considerably, she said.

"If we do it alongside renewals and resurfacing it could be minimal."

As well, it was a 20-to-30-year vision, with spending spread across that time.

The cost of the consultant was about $40,000 for two separate pieces of work, and was required in part because of a retirement at the council.

The next stage of the project, if approved, would be to put it out for public consultation.

Committee chairwoman Cr Kate Wilson agreed the idea of the council putting work into cycling facilities was "very, very popular" in the community.

"Whether this is the plan the council agree to or notis another thing," Cr Wilson said.

- david.loughrey@odt.co.nz