The 13km Northwestern Cycleway now ends at the intersection of Ian McKinnon Drive and Upper Queen St, although its final section from Newton Rd includes loops and bends avoided by many commuter cyclists.
Although Cycle Action Auckland hopes for a third stage, involving a cantilevered addition to the edge of Ian McKinnon Drive, Transport Agency project manager Scott Wickman said that was deferred after being estimated to cost about $3 million. Riders wanting to stay on the cycleway will therefore still have to dismount at two sets of traffic signals on Ian McKinnon Drive.
They will have their own cycle lane on the road bridge across Spaghetti Junction but will have to dismount again at an enhanced pedestrian crossing of Upper Queen.
From there, the cycleway extension will follow the motorway corridor east and then north through Grafton Gully, skirting historic cemetery land, to Wellesley St.
Cyclists will be then be able to head to the city centre either along Wellesley St, via the university precinct or through the gully to the waterfront.
Mr Wickman said it was expected to prove popular with university students, and giving cyclists an alternative to the dangers of riding among traffic down Symonds St had boosted the economic case for the project. It had a projected economic return of $4.61 for every dollar of cost.
Cycle Action Auckland chairwoman Barbara Cuthbert said the extension was a major development which would continue to boost rider numbers.
"It is known as the cycling super highway," she said of the Northwestern route, which will ultimately extend to Westgate, and include a connection to the Southwestern Cycleway running from Manukau Harbour.
Cycle Action Auckland is holding a public meeting on the project at 7pm tonight at the Pioneer Women's Hall, Freyberg Place.