Point Chevalier to Westmere improvements Point Chevalier to Westmere improvements
Improving safety and accessibility for people walking, riding, and using a bus between Point Chevalier town centre and the Westmere shops.
Project status: Construction late 2023
Project zone: Central
On this page
Project updates
April 2024
Meola Road
We’ve made good progress on Meola Road. The extended road closure allowed us to get work done faster. We expect to complete the work on Meola Road, Pt Chevalier Road and Garnet Road by mid-2025.
So far we have
- Rebuilt the road from the foundations to raise it above the floodplain
- Undergrounded the power lines
- Built new driveways for Seddon Fields and MOTAT
- Upgraded stormwater pipes
The longer closure sped up construction by up to two months (saving up to $400,000). We rebuilt approximately 1330m of Meola Road, 500m more than the original closure would have allowed.
Closure on Meola Road from Walford Road to Huia Road: 28 April to August 2024
This section of the Road will be closed for up to three months. This will keep the traffic in the area to local traffic while works are underway and enable us to complete works faster.
Access to driveways will be maintained as best as possible. If residents have access needs such as medical, disability or for business, we are able to help, please contact us on 0800782429 (0800 PTCH2W) or email us at PtC2W@dempseywood.co.nz.
What to expect on Meola Road from Monday 29 April
The current closure on Meola Road will reopen to traffic late on Sunday 28 April 2024. However, It will continue to be under Stop Go traffic control in several locations with a full closure from Walford Rd to Huia Rd. We recommend planning your journey using an alternative route or allowing more time if you choose to use Meola Rd.
- A road closure on Meola Road from Walford Road to Huia Road will be in place from Sunday 28 April, 8pm to August 2024
- During work hours Meola Road will be open to a single lane of traffic with multiple stop-go closures operating Monday to Saturday, 7am to 7pm
- Outside these times these sections of the road will be open two-way
- On road parking will not be available
Pt Chevalier Road
There are currently two work areas on Pt Chevalier Road, one between Walker Road and Meola Road intersections and the other working southward from Formby Avenue and Smale Street intersection.
To accommodate the work area moving south from Smale Street, the traffic management arrangement will change on 15 April 2024, redirecting all northbound traffic off Point Chevalier Road through the side streets of Tui Street, Huia Road and Meola Road - see map below.
- Southbound traffic remains on Point Chevalier Road
- Traffic lights will be in place at Tui Street intersection to manage traffic flow
- Work is planned across the intersections of Smale Street and Miller Street. When work is underway, access will not be possible out to Point Chevalier Road. Once work is complete in these areas, access southbound will be available.
- Parking is removed in work areas and safety zones
- Pedestrian access will be limited at times on the western side
- Vehicle access for residents will be restricted at times. We are working closely with immediate neighbours
Garnet Road
Works will begin on Garnet Road from Monday 29 April.
Initially we will be working on Garnet Road from just south of the roundabout to the intersection of Westmere Crescent. Stop / Go traffic management will be in place to assist the construction team as they carry out drainage work in the berm, footpath and across the road.
The team will be in touch with neighbours ahead of these works with construction details.
Plan your journey
People should anticipate slower travel times, delays, and congestion on Meola Road and the wider area. We recommend using an alternative route during the works.
To view live travel times along the area during our works period, visit routes during Meola Closure. To isolate specific routes, please press the ‘deselect all’ option on the sidebar and tick the route’s individual box. Note that SB means southbound, and data shown reflects the last seven days.
Pedestrian and cycle access will be maintained including access to the Meola Reef dog park. Please be careful when navigating around our works zone, and follow signage as directed to ensure safety. Our construction crew will continue to help school children cross the road at temporary crossing points.
For updates on affected bus routes during construction
We want to thank the community for their patience and ongoing cooperation while works have been carried out. We expect to complete the works in mid-2025.
View our monthly e-newsletters
- April 2024 construction update
- March 2024 construction update
- February 2024 construction update
- January 2024 construction update
- December 2023 construction update
- November 2023 construction update
Project overview
We’re working to make Point Chevalier Road, Meola Road, and Garnet Road safer and more accessible.
From the Great North Road intersection at Point Chevalier town centre to the Westmere shops, there are plans for significant stormwater improvements, separated cycleways, raised-table pedestrian crossings, trees and planting, and a bus lane on Point Chevalier Road.
The community has been involved in shaping the project, with their feedback contributing to design iterations in 2016 and 2019. The design for construction reflects community feedback and our own investigation and design work.
The project began construction in late October 2023. The works will take place over an 18-month period and will be completed in stages to minimise disruption.
The project will bring the following improvements
- more pedestrian crossings
- safe cycling for all ages and abilities
- better bus stops and new shelters
- more trees and landscaping
- redesigned streets which encourage slower vehicle speeds
- new seating and rubbish bins
- a great environment for outdoor dining
- stormwater and drainage improvements
- Meola Road’s foundations rebuilt
- power lines undergrounded on Meola Road.
Timeline
- 2016 – Community consultation on potential cycle routes between Point Chevalier and the city fringe
- 2017 – Community consultation on a concept design for a cycleway between Point Chevalier and Westmere
- 2017 to 2018 – Design revision based on community feedback and further investigation
- 2019 – Community consultation on a revised design
- 2020 to 2021 – Project delay due to 2020 Covid-19 emergency budget
- Early 2022 – Community re-engagement on design for construction
- Late 2022 - Political re-engagement
- Late 2023 – Construction begins
Project history
For more information, please visit the following pages:
- Point Chevalier to city cycle improvements (2016)
- Point Chevalier to Westmere improvements (2017 to 2019)
- Public consultation, including public feedback report (2019)
Project details
What is planned?
To view drawings showing the street layout in detail, download detailed plans for each road.
View a map of the inner west cycleway between Point Chevalier and Westmere.
Point Chevalier Road
- a single direction off-road cycleway on each side of the road
- a southbound bus lane between Great North Road intersection and 60 metres south of Wakatipu Street intersection, operating 7am to 10am and 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday
- raised table pedestrian/bicycle zebra crossings across every side street entrance
- raised table pedestrian/bicycle push-button (signalised) crossing replaces the existing pedestrian zebra crossing, outside 67 Point Chevalier Road (near Tui Street)
- raised table pedestrian/bicycle push-button (signalised) crossing outside 119 Point Chevalier Road (near Miller Street)
- raised table pedestrian/bicycle zebra crossing outside 157 Point Chevalier Road (near Wakatipu Street)
- raised table pedestrian zebra crossing replaces the existing pedestrian zebra crossing outside 199 Point Chevalier Road (near Walker Road)
- relocation of some bus stops and the installation of new bus shelters
- stormwater improvements
- road resurfacing
- seating and rubbish bins
- trees and landscaping.
Point Chevalier and Meola Road intersection
- a roundabout, replaces the existing ‘Give Way’
- raised table pedestrian/bicycle zebra crossings on the northern and eastern legs of the roundabout.
- The roundabout design draws on community feedback, monitoring and analysis, to improve on the temporary roundabout trialed in late 2021.
Meola Road
- a 2-way off-road cycleway on the northern side of the road
- raised table pedestrian/bicycle zebra crossing across Walford Road side street entrance on the northern side of Meola road
- raised table pedestrian zebra crossing outside 249 Meola Road (near Walford Road)
- raised table pedestrian zebra crossing outside 229 Meola Road (near Moa Road)
- raised table pedestrian zebra crossing outside Meola Reef Reserve west entrance
- raised table pedestrian/bicycle zebra crossing between the MOTAT and Seddon Fields entrances
- raised table pedestrian zebra crossing outside Lemington Reserve entrance
- relocation of some bus stops and the installation of new bus shelters
- road foundations rebuilt
- footpath extended
- drainage improvements
- undergrounding of power lines
- trees and landscaping.
Meola Road and Garnet Road intersection
- upgrade of the existing roundabout
- raised table pedestrian/bicycle zebra crossings added to all legs of the roundabout
- Ducting installed so that in future traffic lights can be introduced on the Garnet Road northbound roundabout approach. This will occur if lights are needed to regulate traffic and reduce queueing on Meola Road.
Garnet Road
- a single direction protected on-road cycleway on each side of the road
- raised table pedestrian/bicycle zebra crossings across every side street entrance
- raised table pedestrian zebra crossing replaces the existing pedestrian zebra crossing outside 193 Garnet Road (near West End Road)
- new bus shelter
- trees and landscaping.
What will it look like?
To view street cross sections, download the cross sections plans for the project (PDF 637KB).
Meola Road, looking east.
Garnet Road, near the intersection with Westmere Crescent.
Parking changes
The community has told us that retaining on-street parking is important, particularly outside shops and businesses. We have retained as much parking as possible, while improving safety and accessibility along the route, and giving people more choice in how they travel.
Along Point Chevalier Road and Garnet Road, and at the top of side streets that intersect with these roads, the introduction of new time-restricted car parks and changes to existing time restrictions, will increase opportunities for short-stay parking for customers of local businesses.
The delivery of a cycleway, connecting to a wider network of cycling routes, along with improved pedestrian access, will encourage Auckland’s ongoing mode-shift. It will enable more people to access local businesses, parks, and sportsgrounds, by bike or on foot.
In mid-2022, an additional 198 car parks became available at the new MOTAT Aviation Hall off-street public car park, accessible from Motions Road. Parking costs $2 per hour, capped at $8 per day. Analysis shows this additional off-street capacity will meet demand once on-street parking is removed from Meola Road.
Trees
In 2022 and during the enabling works, exotic trees have been removed along Meola Road and Garnet Road, where they were in conflict with the planned road layout. During construction, we will replace them with native trees that are more suitable for the local area and conditions, and provide a better habitat for native bird populations. We will plant around 56 new trees, using species such as Kowhai, Puriri, Titoki, and Pohutukawa.
Later this year, we plan to remove a further five Pohutukawa trees from Point Chevalier Road, to enable Auckland Council’s Stormwater Separation project. This work will be undertaken as part of Point Chevalier to Westmere Improvements. Compensatory planting will be undertaken in consultation with the Council's Urban Forest team.