News | 5 April 2023
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Construction to complete Evans Bay paths starts soon

Work will start after Easter to complete the 780-meter section of new walking and biking paths on Evans Bay Parade between Weka Bay and Little Karaka Bay.  

Miro the penguin detection dog working with handler on site around Evans Bay.
Miro the kororā detector at work

From Tuesday 11 April, Wellington City Council contractor Downer will set up on site at Weka Bay. They will be working on the seaward side where the previously completed new paths currently end, and work back towards the city as far as Little Karaka Bay.

 

The work to complete this connection, which includes seawalls, will be done in four sections over about 18 months. As well as building the new walking and biking paths, work will include:

 

  • strengthen and build sections of seawall up to footpath level at Little Karaka Bay and Balaena Bay
  • put in a new pedestrian crossing at Balaena Bay and a safer crossing point at Weka Bay
  • improve safety at the intersection of Maida Vale Road and Evans Bay Parade
  • make things safer at the Weka Bay city-bound bus stop.
Glimpse of little blue penguin on site of planned works.
Kororā to be monitored on site

As with the earlier construction of new paths along Cobham Drive, keeping kororā (little blue penguins) safe where work happens on Evans Bay Parade is an important aspect of this project.

 

The Council is working with Greater Wellington Regional Council, Department of Conservation, Places for Penguins and a Wellington-based penguin detection dog and handler from the DabChickNZ - Specialist Ecological Services so we know where penguins are, or have been nesting before work starts. Penguin and lizard habitats will be monitored throughout construction.

 

Brad Singh, the Council’s Transport and Infrastructure Manager, says this is the narrowest part of the route between Oriental Bay and Greta Point and it’s taken longer than expected to complete the investigative and planning work required. 

 

“The seawall work follows on from the new walls that were completed at Ōmarukaikuru (Pt Jerningham) and will create more space for the new paths and improve resilience along this part of the coast. Making it safe and easy for people to ride, walk, and use public transport for everyday trips is key to rapidly cutting emissions. We’re asking everyone who travels around the bays to take extra care and be patient while the work is being done.”

 

Part of Evans Bay Parade will be down to one lane Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. There will be stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h speed limit around the work zone. Outside these hours and at weekends the road will be two-way, but the 30km/h speed limit will still apply.

 

People walking, scooting, or biking can expect temporary detours through the work zone. People on bikes will either need to walk their bikes through the pedestrian detours or share the traffic lanes. Some parking spaces will be out of action at times while the work happens.

 

For the first stage of work at Weka Bay, the 30km/h speed limit will start at the southern end of the bay and extend north to just past Maida Vale Road. As the work progresses, the work zone and 30km/h area will move closer to the city

Cyclist on cycleway around the bays with harbour in background.
Cyclist on two-way bike path

Downer will be working in the Weka Bay area for about five months. Work may stop or be reduced for a month while the city hosts the FIFA Women’s World Cup (mid-July to mid-August). 

 

The completion of this connection will make it easier for people to get around in low-carbon ways. It will be possible to ride between Miramar and the city without having to ride on the road, and get to schools, and recreation and shopping destinations in Kilbirnie, including Ākau Tangi Sports Centre via the new Cobham Drive crossing. The changes are part of Paneke Pōneke, Wellington’s 10-year citywide bike network plan 

 

Tahitai, the coastal walking and biking route, will be further improved when work is done to upgrade the Greta Point to Cobham Drive section, from a shared path to walking and biking paths. The Council unanimously approved plans for this southern section in 2021 and detailed design is underway.

 

Information about the Evans Bay project is available online at transportprojects.org.nz.