Springfield CyWay
Springfield Cyway update: 9/10/2017
A plan is now in place to construct an elevated intersection with pedestrian crossings from the school side
across Ōtonga and Springfield roads. The initial expected completion date for this project was January 2018, however a shortage of available contractors in the district means we will need to wait until the new year to start the improvement works. We expect that the work will be in progress when students return to school and understand that may cause extra pressure during pick-up and drop-off times. Our aim is to minimise the inconvenience as much as possible.
Springfield cycleway – phase two
Prior to the intersection upgrade, work will start on constructing the remaining section of the Springfield cycleway. This section runs from the Springfield/Ōtonga Road intersection on the school side of the road (south) until number 63 Springfield Rd. It will cross Springfield road (to the northern side) at a new pedestrian crossing and continue along Springfield to Devon Street West. Where it will connect to a new off-road cycleway which is to follows Devon Street West to the Utuhina Stream, then follows the Utuhina Stream to Malfroy & Old Taupo Road.
Council’s Sustainable Transport team have been working with Ōtonga School on “travel plans” to and from school to ease congestion at the main gate. To further improve access into the primary school, the path behind Jackson Park Kindergarten will also be upgraded.
Update on Springfield: 19/6/17
The Otonga/Springfield intersection upgrade now has a contractor to take on the works with a start date of Jan 2018.
The CyWay shared path will be extended along Springfield Road to Devon St West with construction aligned with the road resurfacing to minimise disruption. This has not yet gone out to tender.
Update on Springfield CyWay Project Stage 2 Otonga Rd to Devon St West : 19/6/17
With stage one complete and being well used by you, and the Hemo intersection delayed but moving forward we feel it is time to start looking at stage two, Otonga Rd to Devon St. The engineers have been out looking into the options for the Cyway along with the intersection upgrade at Otonga Rd Springfield Rd.
Update on Springfield CyWay Project and Share With Care Education:
15/11/16
This letter is to update you on the cycleway work and road improvements taking place in your area.
The contractors have completed the shared path up to the corner of Springfield Road and Wharepaina Crescent with a raised platform installed at the Old Taupo/Springfield Road intersection.
The remaining section of path on Springfield Road and outside Otonga Primary School will be completed after a decision has been made on improvements to the Springfield Road/Otonga Road intersection.
Otonga Road/ Springfield Road intersection improvements
At this stage engineers are monitoring the traffic flow and trends at the intersection and will report to council on the findings in the new year. Council will use the recommendations to decide on the type of improvements that will be implemented at the intersection.
There are various options including widening of the road, traffic lights and pedestrian controlled signals.
Share with care signage and Bells on Bikes
The Share with Care campaign has been developed to educate shared path users and encourage them to be courteous and respectful while using the new cycleway. Share with Care signs will be placed along the path together with regulatory signage.
Flyer that explains the Share with Care concept for both pedestrians and bike riders.
Council is also promoting the use of bells on bike handlebars as a way for riders to gently let other users know when they are approaching.
Update on Springfield CyWay project and other related projects:
15/11/16
Our Contractor is continuing work on the Springfield Road Cyway. The new kerb and channel has been constructed from Old Taupo Road to Wharepania Crescent. This section of the Springfield Cyway is programmed to be completed by 11th November. The works will then move onto the final section from Wharepania Crescent to Otonga Road. The contract work is programmed to be completed by the end of 2016.
17/10/2016
The contractor will be finishing the last section on Old Taupo Rd early next week. The only remaining work on Old Taupo Rd is the vehicle crossings for the Rotorua Golf Club and the wall recess for the traffic counter. The wall recess for the traffic counter is programmed for the 26th October.
19/09/2016
As you will be aware, work is underway on a cycleway project in Springfield. This is part of Rotorua Lakes Council’s CyWay programme which will see the establishment of 10 cycleways in suburbs throughout the city, connecting to established and planned facilities on main routes.
In Springfield a shared path will connect from Sophia St, along Old Taupo Rd and down Springfield Rd to Otonga Rd. There are also improvements planned outside Otonga School and traffic lights will replace the current Springfield/Otonga roundabout. Biking facilities on Old Taupo Rd linked with the Hemo intersection upgrade (pink on map) will be done by New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) which is responsible for state highways.
The completion date for the Springfield cycleway has been pushed out to the end of October due to a delay in the contractor starting this project. The Sophia St portion of the cycleway has been completed, along with approximately 800m on Old Taupo Rd. Work will continue south down Old Taupo Rd on the eastern side, followed by some widening of the existing footpath on the western side. From there, work will continue on the southern side of Springfield Rd to Otonga Rd.
Improvement to a small section on Otonga Rd in front of the school will complete the cycleway and traffic lights are being considered to replace the roundabout.
Council staff have worked closely with Otonga School on the cycleway which, like other CyWay projects, aims to make riding a bike a safe and enjoyable option for anyone who wants to give it a go.
We thought you might also be interested in information about the following other projects:
Bells on Bikes Education Campaign: We are developing a campaign to improve safe and courteous behaviour on paths shared by cyclists and pedestrians.
One of the elements of the campaign will be to promote the use of bells on bikes. The campaign will explain to pedestrians how to react when they hear a bell, and also assure them that the bell is a friendly gesture. People on bikes will be encouraged to use a bell, and be educated in the appropriate way to use one. Other elements of sharing with care will also be included in the campaign, which is due to launch soon.
Hemo intersection:
Work on upgrading this major intersection is progressing and you can check out the project page online (see link below) for the latest on this, along with time-lapse images. The project is due to finish July 2017 and work still to be done includes forming the new roundabout, constructing underpasses, footpaths and a new Mokoia Drive intersection. http://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh5-sh30-hemo-roa...