Constellation Dr, Rosedale – Clearway and bus stop updates Constellation Dr, Rosedale – Clearway and bus stop updates

Consultation status: closed 17 April 2018

Proposal reference: RTV-136

We are proposing to make changes to Constellation Drive, including:

  • Implementation of a new weekday evening clearway along the south side of Constellation Drive that applies 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday. 
  • Installation of broken yellow lines around existing bus stops to allow sufficient space for buses to manoeuvre into and out of stops. This is part of our efforts to standardise bus stops across Auckland.

View the consultation drawing for Constellation Drive (PDF 6MB) 

Why the changes are needed

Vehicles parked along the south side of Constellation Drive during peak PM hours effectively prevent westward-moving traffic from using the transit lane, forcing vehicles into traffic queues and causing delays. Constellation Drive is a major arterial road and an important link to the Northern Busway that will see an increase in bus movement when the new bus network is rolled out in late 2018.

The proposal is expected to improve the flow of all vehicles at this location, including buses.

Proposal outcome

This project is on hold and will not currently be proceeding to the next stage of detailed planning. Although a clearway along the southern side of Constellation Drive may be considered in the future, we have determined that further investigations will be required into the safety of people walking and cycling at this location. We will provide further updates when available.

Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback. A summary of this feedback and answers to community questions and concerns is below.

Feedback received

  • Request to extend the hours on the existing clearway along the northern side of Constellation Drive to 7pm to improve traffic flow during peak hours. Operating hours of the existing clearway along the northern side of Constellation Drive have now been adjusted and apply 4pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday.
  • Concerns over lack of on-street parking for local businesses. We recognise that parking options are limited at this location. An Auckland Transport parking review is currently underway in the area, although alternatives for additional parking near the bus station are relatively limited due to spatial constraints. At this stage, the proposal will not be proceeding but we will provide updates when available.
  • Suggestion to instead install parking meters at this location. Parking meters at this location would not address the issues around peak PM traffic congestion along Constellation Drive. At this stage, the proposal will not be proceeding but we will provide updates when available.
  • Suggestions that buses do not encounter issues manoeuvring into and out of the bus stops on Constellation Drive and that broken yellow lines are not needed. At this stage, the proposal will not be proceeding but we will provide updates when available.
  • Concerns that the changes to hours on the existing T2 lane will cause further congestion issues. Hours of operation around existing T2 lanes have been standardised across the Auckland region.
  • Request to remove the T2 lanes from Constellation Drive. The operational efficiency of T2 lanes is reviewed on an annual basis. At this stage, there are no plans to remove existing T2 lanes from Constellation Drive.
  • Concern that the proposal will put cyclists at risk by adding an additional lane of traffic. At this stage, the proposal will not be proceeding but we will provide updates when available.
  • Request to install a protected cycle lane along Constellation Drive as part of the proposal. Suggestion that as part of the Northern Corridor Improvements, there will be a significant increase in the number of cyclists utilising Constellation Drive. At this stage, the proposal will not be proceeding. We have determined that further investigations will be required into the safety of people walking and cycling at this location and will provide further updates when available.
  • Concern that the proposal will allow vehicles to speed along the outer T2 lane and make it difficult for customers and employees of local businesses to exit their driveways. At this stage, the proposal will not be proceeding but we will provide updates when available.
  • Request to widen the road or reduce the width of the median to allow for additional parking. We are unable to consider widening of the road or a reduction in the median width to accommodate for additional on-street parking as this would likely result in operational issues at this location.

Next steps

This proposal will not be proceeding but we will provide updates when available.