Kitenui and Alexis Ave, Mount Albert - Intersection improvements Kitenui and Alexis Ave, Mount Albert - Intersection improvements

Consultation status: updated 31 July 2018, closed 30 May 2018

Proposal reference: BYL-257

Proposal update

In May 2018, we consulted with locals regarding a proposal to improve the intersection of Alexis Avenue and Kitenui Avenue. After reviewing the feedback received, we have extended the broken yellow lines (No stopping at all times restrictions) on both Alexis Avenue and Kitenui Avenue. This will help the intersection from both an operational and safety point of view by further increasing visibility for road users and preventing congestion.

Download the updated proposal drawing for Kitenui Ave and Alexis Ave (PDF 823KB)

We're proposing changes in your area

We are proposing changes to the intersection of Alexis Avenue and Kitenui Avenue, including replacing the existing give way limit line road markings and signage with the equivalent stop controls. The changes also include broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times parking restrictions) around the bends of the intersection.

View the consultation drawing for Kitenui Ave and Alexis Ave (PDF 806KB) 

Why the changes are needed

The proposal is aimed at improving both driver and pedestrian safety at the intersection after numerous crashes attributed to a failure to give way. This failure to give way has been due to drivers failing to notice and comply with existing give way controls and driver visibility being restricted by vehicles parked around the intersection.

Proposal outcome

This project will proceed with changes to the next stage of detailed planning. A summary of the community feedback we received and answers to questions and concerns is below.

View updated consultation drawing for Kitenui Ave and Alexis Ave (PDF 810KB)

Feedback received

  • Respondents believe that a temporary speed limit of 40kmph should be imposed along Kitenui Avenue during school hours due to the dangers faced by school children in this area. Thanks for raising this concern. This is not within the scope of this project however this information will be passed on to the relevant team.
  • Respondent has requested additional speed calming measures in the local residential area due to the increased traffic. We are introducing a new programme of works to reduce speed and increase safety on our residential roads. The new Residential Speed Management programme will look at how traffic calming changes on one street might affect the surrounding network of roads. Our aim is to develop traffic calming measures that support drivers to travel at speeds that are appropriate for each street or location. We are unable to investigate and respond to this individual request, but we have added these comments to our database to indicate support for safer speeds in this residential area. We will use different criteria to prioritise which locations to address first, including safety risks, traffic speed, land use and concerns raised by residents and their representatives, such as Local Boards. Further information about our new programme, including the residential areas selected for further investigation, will be available on our website soon.
  • Respondents believe that the proposed changes will have a minimal impact on pedestrian safety at this intersection. It has been noted by many respondents that a large amount of students cross this intersection and that pedestrian crossing facilities are needed for safety. This is not within the scope of this project however we will monitor this intersection and investigate if a pedestrian crossing facility is required in this area.
  • Respondents feel as if more Broken Yellow Lines are required to improve visibility at peak times and would like to see the Broken Yellow Lines extended by 20-50m on all roads at this intersection. This is due to congestion issues blocking access to roads and driveways. Respondents feel that the stop controls won’t help as cars will still need to ‘edge’ out of the intersection to improve visibility. We have revised the proposal following the external feedback and have added additional parking restrictions on Alexis Avenue. These will help alleviate congestion and operational issues on Alexis Avenue specifically during peak am and pm times. However, we have decided not to increase the restrictions on Kitenui Avenue as removing further parking here will allow vehicles to travel at increased speeds through the intersection and therefore increase the severity of any potential crashes here. Parked vehicles make the road appear narrow to drivers and this can encourage slower speeds which generally improves road safety.
  • Respondent has requested an extension of Broken Yellow Lines to 33 Alexis Avenue as the incline can make it difficult to see parked or oncoming cars. This will also help with the issue of vehicles needing to cross the centre line when entering the intersection. We have revised the proposal following the external feedback and have added additional parking restrictions up to 33 Alexis Avenue as suggested.
  • Respondent believes that more Broken Yellow Lines are needed at this intersection as queues at peak times don’t allow enough room for waiting cars on Alexis Ave. We have revised the proposal following the external feedback and have added additional parking restrictions on Alexis Avenue. These will help alleviate congestion and operational issues on Alexis Avenue specifically during peak am and pm times.
  • Respondent is requesting a parking restriction from 8am to 4pm as this is when the street becomes ‘blocked’ by traffic from the local school. Alexis and Kitenui Avenue are classified as ‘Local Roads’ which are roads that carry fewer vehicles and vehicle types. We have found the implementation of a ‘Clearway’ on some arterial and collector roads can successfully facilitate free-flowing traffic movements of high traffic volumes and public transport services, however clearways on local roads have been found to have a negative effect on the overall network. An increased number of motorists tend to use these streets for ‘rat running’, which is when motorists weave between main roads in an attempt to beat traffic and avoid main intersections which increases the traffic volume and speed on local roads. We have however revised the proposal following the external feedback and have added additional parking restrictions on Alexis Ave. These will help alleviate congestion and operational issues on Alexis Ave specifically during peak am and pm times.
  • Respondent believes that the parking from students in this area is very poor and that ticketing is required. We suggest that you contact our Parking Enforcement Department on 09 355 3553 to request enforcement action to be taken if you notice vehicles are parking in a poor manner that is effecting the operation of the road.
  • Respondent has noted that stop controls are unlikely to help at this intersection and wants to know if other options have been considered such as a mountable roundabout, raised table or a four way stop sign. The current proposal aims to best address the safety concerns with relatively low cost changes which can be immediately implemented. Unfortunately there is no planned funding for further improvements here at this intersection. If we were to propose a more extensive project here we would not be able to implement the changes for a significantly longer time as it would need to be prioritised against other projects in our Minor Improvements Programme. However, we will continue to monitor the intersection once the proposal is installed and review its effectiveness.
  • Respondent believes that the proposed advanced warning signs are visual pollution and doesn’t want them included in this proposal. The advanced warning signs are required on both approaches to the intersection on Alexis Avenue as it is located at the crest of a hill. This makes the intersection hard to identify until you are very close to it, therefore the advanced warning signs are needed.
  • Respondent is concerned that the investigation hasn’t taken place at peak times and therefore AT doesn’t understand the full extent of the issue. The respondent requests that AT come back and monitor the intersection at the peak times of 8-8:45 am & 3-3:45pm. We have revised the proposal following the external feedback and have added additional parking restrictions on Alexis Avenue. These will help alleviate congestion and operational issues on Alexis Avenue specifically during peak am and pm times. However, we have decided not to increase the restrictions on Kitenui Avenue as removing further parking here will allow vehicles to travel at increased speeds through the intersection and therefore increase the severity of any potential crashes here. Parked vehicles make the road appear narrow to drivers and this can encourage slower speeds which generally improves road safety.

Next steps

This work will happen between July 2018 and June 2019, but we will let you know if there are further changes or delays. Our contractors will send notices to affected residents 48-hours prior to construction starting. ​