A CYCLEWAY linking Merewether beach with the heart of Newcastle will be sped up following the cycling boom during the coronavirus pandemic, City of Newcastle has announced.
The project, which involves building a 1.1-kilometre section from the beach that meets Glebe Road at The Junction, will receive a $3.1 million funding boost if the council adopts its new budget at Tuesday night's meeting.
It includes a 2.5-metre path along Watkins and Coane streets and between Watkins and John Parade, as well as upgrading crossings through the area, and is designed to lengthen a route into the city along Corlette and Auckland streets.
"The cycleway will create an important connection with one of the city's favourite coastal destinations and encourage more people to make the switch to pedal power," Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said in a statement on Sunday.
"We are committed to promoting cycling as a genuine transport option for residents, families, commuters and recreational users, which is why expansion and improvement of the cycleway network is one of the city's priority projects."
Newcastle councillor John Mackenzie said the revised budget, which brought forward infrastructure in a bid to provide an economic stimulus after the COVID-19 lockdown, could help cycleways progress over the next year.
"Our community has been very clear in stating that improved cycleways throughout the city would encourage people to swap the car for the bike in their daily commute to work and school," he said.
"In recent months, as a result of COVID-19, we have seen increasing numbers of residents making use of our city's cycleways for both transportation and recreational purposes."
Concept plans for the cycleway will be publicly exhibited from next Monday through the City of Newcastle website.
