Plans for a $1.3 million upgrade of Ninth Ave, St Peters
A STREET in the eastern suburbs – perhaps best known for its annual festive cheer – is set for a $1.3 million upgrade.
A ST Peters street – perhaps best known for its festive cheer – is set for a $1.3 million upgrade that is likely to pave the way for the creation of the east’s second dedicated cycling route.
Ninth Ave, between Stephen Tce and Battams Rd, will be revamped over the next two years under a Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council plan to improve pedestrian and cycling safety.
The makeover would make it easier for the council to, in the future, turn the strip into a so-called bicycle boulevard, similar to one being created on Beulah Rd.
The boulevards encourage motorists to slow to make the road more attractive to cyclists.
Under the Ninth Ave upgrade plan, the road would be resealed, footpaths rebuilt, kerbs replaced and roundabouts revamped to give better access to pedestrians.
Resident Kirsty Burns welcomed the upgrade plans.
Ms Burns is one of many Ninth Ave residents who, each Christmas season, cover the front of their homes with Christmas lights.
“We’re really pleased that the street in getting a makeover,” Ms Burns said.
“We love this street … it’s a busy one for pedestrians and cyclists moving between the city and Linear Park and at Christmas time it’s all abuzz with the light display most residents get behind.”
NP&SP Mayor Robert Bria hoped the upgrade would make the area more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly and encourage a better community feel.
“It’s a big project, but it’s an example of how the council can make more efficient use of its resources and ensure that when streets are upgraded, they are looked at as a whole rather than stand-alone improvements,” Mr Bria said.
The council will spend $60,000 on detailed designs for the makeover with work expected to start in 2017/18.
Consultation on the plan is open until the end of March.