Where cars were once

The motorway plan for central Auckland, always intended a complex interchange (nicknamed Spaghetti Junction) with routes to and from the south, the east, the west and the north joining, along with exit to the central city and access from the city. For many years after the north and south were connected, traffic from the west had to go as if into the city and then via small streets, rejoin the motorway north. 

One consequence of completing the connection that was the offramps from the west and the south joined earlier, making redundant a sweeping bridge into the city. In a most unexpected rush of sensible thinking, the planners converted it into a cycleway (allowing pedestrians as well), and built a new bridge crossing over the motorway system to access the old bridge.

It was opened for us late last year, and today I walked from the start in Canada Street (close to K Road) to the end (or beginning) at Nelson Street. See the extras for the two ends. The old motorway bridge has been coloured pink, and the whole route is well lit to increase safety for users in the evenings and later.

I like the presence of a pedestrian on the Hopetoun Street Bridge; the K Road bridge is apparently empty. But at that time of a Saturday afternoon it would be very busy.