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In April 2020, cones and Day-Glo plastic sticks were placed on Queen St to encourage physical distancing as New Zealand battled its outbreak of COVID-19. But much to the dismay of local businesses, Auckland Council decided to retain the cones as makeshift traffic barriers to advance its plans for the pedestrianisation trial - exacerbating businesses economic woes amid the ongoing pandemic.
This April, the council unveiled its plans to replace the plastic sticks, stone blocks and temporary footpaths with wide boardwalks, seating and native plants - changes that would be trialled before undertaking a permanent revamp.
Parts of the main drag will also be closed off to private vehicles with expanded bus lanes, with more public transport expected to be routed through Queen St. It s understood cyclists will be expected to share the lanes.