Riverlea Connections

What we're doing

We’re planning upgrades to Howell Avenue, Hudson Street and Riverlea Road to create calmer streets and better connections for people to walk and bike through Riverlea.

The upgrades include:

• Create a shared path on Howell Avenue from Geoffrey Place down to Louise Place.
• Install five raised safety platforms at several intersections between Howell Avenue and Riverlea Road to reduce vehicle speeds and create safer places for people to cross the road.
• Install two sets of chicanes on Hudson Street to narrow the road, slow traffic, and encourage drivers to look for oncoming vehicles.
• Build the kerb out on side streets between Howell Avenue and Riverlea Road to slow down turning vehicles and shorten crossing distances for pedestrians.
• Complete the missing footpath link on the southern side of Hudson Street between Silvia Crescent and Balfour Crescent.
• Widen the footpath to a shared path on the western side of Riverlea Road. This will also increase on-street parking spaces from 16 to 24 on that side of the road.
• Upgrade bus stops with paved areas and accessible kerbs to make getting on and off the bus easier.

Why we're doing it

These improvements will help reinforce the 40km/h speed limit and discourage drivers from using these streets as a shortcut. They will also help create a more walkable neighbourhood and complete the upgrades for the on-road section of the Te Awa River Ride cycleway, connecting the Waikato district with the Hamilton Gardens.

An upgraded shared path on Riverlea Road will provide an off-road option for people on bikes and provide more on-street parking for local businesses.

Riverlea Connections is a project funded by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s Transport Choices programme that will help create a connected network across the city, supporting Council’s move to a low emissions transport system in response to climate change.