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Mt Wellington Highway, Mt Wellington – Interchange improvements Mt Wellington Highway, Mt Wellington – Interchange improvements

Proposal status: Feedback closed 19 December 2019, last updated on 5 March 2020

Reference number: NOP1819-012b

We're making changes in your area

In December 2019, we proposed to improve the interchange and southbound onramp from Mt Wellington Highway to State Highway 1, in Mt Wellington. These changes aim to improve safety at the interchange by providing better lane markings and improved facilities for pedestrians and large vehicles.

These works are part of our plan to enable safer and more efficient journeys on key freight routes. To minimise disruption to your journeys, we will carry out as much of these works as we can at night and outside of peak travel times.

Changes proposed on Mt Wellington Highway

We will:

  • change the northbound through lane to a shared right turn and through lane, making it safer for freight and large vehicles to turn right
  • cut back the existing traffic island to make room for the changes to traffic lanes
  • install two pedestrian crossings with traffic signals to make it safer for people to cross at the interchange
  • widen sections of the footpath to make it easier to access the new crossings
  • cutg the kerb back at the south eastern corner to make room for a second right turn lane.

Download the proposal drawing for Mt Wellington Highway (PDF 1.4MB)

Proposal outcome

We have made minor changes to the design based on community feedback. The pedestrian crossing across the right turn from Mt Wellington Highway northbound on to the motorway on-ramp will be widened to ensure compliance with our code of practice.

Thank you to everyone who responded to our proposal and gave us the chance to better understand your community and concerns. A summary of your feedback and our responses to community questions is below.

Community feedback

  • Respondents noted the proposal would improve pedestrian safety and improve traffic flow from Mt Wellington Highway to the southbound on-ramp. Thank you for your feedback and glad to hear you support the proposal.
  • Respondents requested additional crossing be installed on all legs of the Sylvia Park Road/Mt Wellington Highway intersection, including the southbound off ramp, to further improve pedestrian safety. Currently, there is no footpath leading up to this intersection, in particular the south western side of Mt Wellington Highway. Our investigations have shown that no pedestrian desire line was observed at this location - the most comfortable route for a person to walk between two places. Introducing pedestrian crossings in the absence of noted demand, desire lines and appropriate supporting infrastructure (e.g. a footpath connection) will not result in the best solution for all users of this intersection. It will cause significant delays to freight vehicles wanting to access the state highway network. However, we will look at improvements to pedestrian connections in the future once demand increases.
  • Respondent expressed concern the improvements will make the left turn from Mt Wellington Highway southbound worse. Suggested this becomes left turn only or creating 2 left turn lanes but expressed understanding that this would involve significant works. Creating 2 left turn lanes via a kerb cutback would result in a greater crossing distance for pedestrians, and the extent of works associated with this are quite significant. Therefore, this is not considered to be a feasible option.
    Our initial modelling and traffic assessments have revealed that the intersection will operate efficiently with the proposed changes. Extensive consultation has been undertaken between us and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) as part of the Network Optimisation Programme. This programme aims to manage congestion through making best use of the existing road network. We will continue to monitor this network post construction.
  • Respondent believed that the improvements are insufficient for people walking and cycling. Would like to see more consideration given to walking and cycling when making improvements. Believed that more needs to be done to encourage a shift to different modes, and, to meet Vision Zero and climate commitments. New facilities for vulnerable road users are proposed across the southbound onramp and free left turn, in this case pedestrian crossings with traffic lights. Currently, there is no footpath leading up to this intersection, in particular the south western side of Mt Wellington Highway. Our investigations have shown that no pedestrian desire line was observed at this location - the most comfortable route for a person to walk between two places. Introducing pedestrian crossings in the absence of noted demand, desire lines and appropriate supporting infrastructure (e.g. a footpath connection) will not result in the best solution for all users of this intersection. It will cause significant delays to freight vehicles wanting to access the state highway network. However, we will look at improvements to pedestrian connections in the future once demand increases.

Next steps

These works are planned to be delivered, in conjunction with the NZTA, by the end of June 2020, 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.