Stunning new look for Queen St

From City Scene, published on 2 September, 2007

Queen Street upgrade - new mid-block pedestrian crossing.

Queen Streets new look - Widened footpaths and a new mid-block pedestrian crossing have opened up the area. The entire project is on track to be completed by next April.

Queen Street upgrade - Widened footpaths.

The upgrade of the block of Queen Street between Wellesley and Victoria streets was completed last week, ahead of schedule. Widened footpaths and a new mid-block pedestrian crossing have opened up the area.

This is the second stage of the Queen Street upgrade to be finished, following the Mayoral Drive to Wellesley Street block completed in March. Mayor Dick Hubbard says he's extremely pleased with the progress of the upgrade.

"The patience shown by motorists, pedestrians and businesses has been outstanding," says Mr Hubbard. "We really appreciate this support which has allowed us to get in there and get the job done efficiently."

Retailers are also impressed with the new look. Smith and Caughey's executive director, Terry Cornelius, says the widened footpaths are wonderful. "They allow people to stand back and look at our window displays, and they make the pedestrian traffic flow much smoother at busy times, he says. "The new street furniture and nikau palms are also stunning additions."

With the completion of the Wellesley to Victoria streets stage, resources will move to the northern end of Queen Street, between Victoria and Customs streets. Stage four of the $42.4 million upgrade, between Karangahape Road and Mayoral Drive, is scheduled to commence in the coming months. The entire project is on track to be completed by next April.