BY ISABEL EVERETT
Newcastle Council has started construction on the first stage of a cycleway linking the City Centre to Merewether Beach.
The first stage is the Merewether to The Junction project, which is a 2.5m-wide, bi-directional path along the eastern side of Watkins Street and northern side of Coane Street, between Watkins and John Parade
The first section will include new and upgraded raised-crossings for pedestrians and cyclists and associated intersection improvements.
This 1.1-kilometre, $3.1 million project is also set to improve stormwater drainage systems and capture water for re-use in new garden beds.
City of Newcastle
received $600,000 from the NSW Government’s 2020/21 Walking and Cycling Program
to assist with the construction of this stage of the project.
A 30-kilometre per hour speed limit could be implemented for motorists driving alongside the path.
Lord Mayor
Nuatali Nelmes said investment in cycleway
infrastructure would enable cycling to play an even larger role
within Newcastle’s transport mix in the future.
“We are committed to promoting cycling as a safe and attractive transport option for residents, families, commuters and recreational users, which is why expansion and improvement of the cycleway network is one of the City’s priority projects,” she said.
“The start of
construction is an important step towards the completion of the overall City
Centre to Merewether Beach cycleway project, which will provide a first-class
route between the inner city and one of our most popular beaches”
Councillor Carol Duncan and Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes celebrate the start of the cycleway’s construction with workers at the site.
