2 May 2023

It was appropriate a shared path should be the final step of the multi-pronged Northern Corridor Improvements (NCI) project – the five-year project having been a shared venture between Fulton Hogan, HEB Construction, WSP and Jacobs, working in alliance on behalf of Waka Kotahi.

NCI included a 5km extension of the Northern Busway to Albany (opened in May 2022) and the completion of the Western Ring Route, which opened in stages earlier this year. Several local community sports and recreational facilities were relocated and/or rebuilt as part of the project, including North Harbour Hockey, North Harbour BMX, Wainoni Park Pony Club and Greenhithe Riding for the Disabled.

The six kilometre shared path which runs between Constellation Station and Oteha Valley Road alongside SH1 and the Northern Busway, was opened by Transport Minister Hon Michael Wood. Along its route are several local connections at residential, commercial and industrial areas, each with ramp access to maximise accessibility.

In all, 360,000 native plants were planted and 10 wetland treatment ponds built and planted to cleanse surface runoff water prior to discharging to local streams. The project also built part of Watercare’s Rosedale Ponds bypass under SH1, and a watermain under the new Tirohanga Whānui bridge, both to help cater for North Shore’s future growth.

Pictured at the opening is (left) Transport Minister Michael Wood with (from left) Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust kaumatua Ringi Brown, Waka Kotahi board member Patrick Reynolds, Councillors John Watson and Wayne Walker.