Macquarie Point is set to get two new bike paths through the site, if a development application lodged with the City of Hobart receives approval.
The Macquarie Point Corporation plans to immediately build an “interim” shared path through the site, starting about halfway along Evans Street and ending at its boundary near the Regatta grandstand.
It will also build an extension of the Intercity Cycleway, with the City of Hobart, but work on that is being delayed by about 12 months because of other engineering and construction work along the route.
The extension of the Intercity Cycleway will loop through the site and end on Davey Street, close to the corporation’s office.
The City of Hobart does not plan to start work on the connection from McVilly Drive to the Macquarie Point boundary until work is ready to begin on the Intercity Cycleway connection through the site.
However, most bike riders will be able to get to the interim path on current roads and tracks.
Extending the Intercity Cycleway through Macquarie Point will avoid the current annoying path disruption near the Royal Engineers building and give cyclists easy access to the site.
The corporation has said it will monitor use of the interim path before and after the Intercity Cycleway extension is built before deciding whether it will stay or go.
Macquarie Point Development Corporation CEO Mary Massina said the cycleway will be the last piece of the puzzle for connectivity to and from the city and Salamanca.
“Given the importance of Mac Point being a facilitator of greater linkages and connections, a cycleway is a no brainer,” she said.
The corporation is conducting a survey on the design and features of the cycleway at its website: macquariepoint.com/cycleway
Construction of the cycleway is out to tender, with the interim path scheduled for completion by February 2019, in time for the Australian Wooden Boat Festival and the Royal Hobart Regatta.