Queen Street design shifts away from cars

Auckland’s Queen Street upgrades from Mayoral Drive to Shortland Street are complete, providing a more people-friendly, green and spacious street, especially for walkers, cyclists, e-bike and e-scooter riders. 

The Auckland Council in collaboration with Auckland Transport has converted traffic lanes into expanded space for people walking or on wheels, dotted with more than 200 planters filled with native foliage and more seating for people to use while waiting for the bus or having lunch.  

The Waihorotiu Queen Street Project demonstrates how the council is tilting the balance from a car-focused city centre to one that prioritises pedestrians and e-mobility, says Auckland Council city centre programmes head Jenny Larking.

What used to be one lane of traffic has been transformed into the Waihorotiu path, a multi-use path closest to the road for people walking, people on bikes or riding e-scooters. Faster bike riders need to continue to use the road, the council explains.

The Waihorotiu path is in addition to the original footpath space closest to the shops, which can continue to be enjoyed by shoppers, and those wanting to move at a slower pace. 

From Wellesley Street to Shortland Street two lanes of traffic have been removed to create additional space for pedestrians, while safety cues have been added to the Waihorotiu path which include wayfinding patterns, placement of planting, textural changes and signage.

These elements work together to guide slow riders safely along the path while providing a buffer of protection for shoppers and others who walk along the footpath and cross the street. 

In 2021 the footpath on Queen Street between Customs and Shortland Street was extended and more greenery added with this first section revisited next year to ensure continuity with the design of Mayoral Drive to Shortland Street.

Furniture has been added to a pocket park at the intersection of Queen and Fort Streets,

A new type of vehicle zone called an Essential Vehicle Area (EVA) on Queen Street between Wellesley and Wakefield Streets has also been included.

Only buses, motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, goods vehicles and emergency service vehicles are allowed to use the EVA, to reduce congestion, air and noise pollution, making it safer for pedestrians and micromobility users. 

Removing general parking on Queen Street between Customs Street and Mayoral Drive has prioritised loading and servicing activities, with P30 mobility parking around the arts precinct.  

A peak hour bus lane (4pm-7pm) now heads north, between Shortland Street and Customs Street.