Oteha Valley Road, East Coast Road & Carlisle Road, Northcross – Raised Zebra Crossings Oteha Valley Road, East Coast Road & Carlisle Road, Northcross – Raised Zebra Crossings
Proposal status: Feedback open until 2 July 2021
Reference number: RSU1819-076B
Proposal update
We advised you in August 2021 that these works were scheduled to be constructed this 2021/2022 financial year, subject to funding ability. We are now writing to you to inform you that we have scheduled construction.
This project now has a new construction target of March-April 2022.
Proposal outcome
Proposal outcome In June 2021, we proposed changes to improve pedestrian safety at the intersection of Oteha Valley Road, East Coast Road and Carlisle Road in Northcross. These changes are in response to a road safety investigation which identified that pedestrian safety could be greatly improved at this location.
After reviewing all the feedback we received, we are proceeding with the work as proposed. These works will help support our Vision Zero goal.
Community feedback
Thank you for helping us make better decisions for your neighbourhood, informed by your local knowledge. The majority of respondents were supportive of this proposal. In their feedback, people expressed that the changes would improve their safety and make it easier to cross the street.
A summary of the additional comments and queries we received, and our responses to them, is below.
Northwest raised zebra crossing
- Concern over the proposed Northwest raised zebra crossing as the drawing does not show that there are 3 lanes that quickly merge into 2 lanes and then 1 lane.
The drawing scale was set to show the proposed work clearly, therefore the drawing was not able to cover a bigger area to show the full length of the lane merge road section north of the intersection. Part of the merging lane layout will be changed as part of the Glenvar Road and East Coast Road project which the community was consulted on in late 2019. More information about the Glenvar Road and East Coast Road project can be found here. - Concern that the Northwest raised zebra crossing will slow momentum of turning traffic and create issues with merging.
Based on the New Zealand Transport Agency Crash Analysis System, there were two reported crashes related to turning movements at this left turning lane between 2016-2020. The profile of the raised tables has been designed to help slow speeds down while negotiating the slip lane. This will also help pedestrians to cross the slip lane safely. - Suggestion to change the proposed Northwest raised zebra crossing, as it is not used much outside of school drop off and pick up times, to either a standard pedestrian crossing or create a red light arrow so the momentum of traffic is not disrupted when people are not crossing.
Currently, the left turn slip lane at the northwest of the intersection encourages higher speeds than desirable which presents a risk to pedestrians using the slip lane. The research shows that a raised pedestrian crossing has the effectiveness of reducing the traffic and pedestrian crashes by 45%. As the leading organisation driving Vision Zero for Tāmaki Makaurau, we are accountable for delivering an efficient, effective and safe Tāmaki Makaurau land transport system. We have set a target of reducing deaths and serious injury crashes in Auckland by 60% by 2030. With that focus in mind, it is proposed to upgrade the existing crossing to a raised zebra crossing.
Traffic lanes
- Concern for traffic heading North on East Coast Road in the left lane which already gets squeezed from the left and right lanes once through the lights.
Two straight through traffic lanes were proposed on East Coast Road, north of the intersection, as part of the Glenvar Road and East Coast Road improvement which will address your concerns. More information about the Glenvar Road and East Coast Road project can be found here. - Suggestion to remove the slip lanes to improve safety for pedestrians and for the signalised intersection to be more effective at peak times.
Removing the slip lanes and signalising the slip lanes were considered during investigation but not preferred due to increased delays on the network.
Miscellaneous
- Concern over the brightness of the proposed street lights having a negative impact on adjacent residential properties at night.
A lighting review will be undertaken during detailed design which is the next stage of this project. The lighting level will be in accordance with lighting standards. - Suggestion to remove the large unused water pump situated outside 867 East Coast Road as it is a health and safety issue.
This is beyond our scope of works in this proposal as the water pump belongs to Watercare. Please contact Watercare regarding this matter. - Suggestion to install red light cameras at the intersection.
The installation of red light cameras is under the jurisdiction of NZ Police. Therefore, please contact NZ Police to request the installation of a red light camera at the intersection.
We're proposing improvements in your area
We are asking for your feedback on a proposal to improve pedestrian safety at the intersection of Oteha Valley Road, East Coast Road and Carlisle Road in Northcross.
We are proposing to:
- Install raised zebra crossings on the three left-turn slip lanes of the intersection. This will improve pedestrian safety by slowing driver speeds near the crossings.
- Minor improvements to the footpaths, kerbs and traffic islands near the crossings to make the raised crossings flush with the footpaths. This will include refitting tactile pavers on either side of each crossing, which is yellow guidance paving markers that help visually impaired people find their way to crossings and safely across roads.
- Install new streetlights, road markings and signage to support the raised zebra crossings.
Download proposal drawing (PDF 713 KB)
The proposed raised crossings would reduce the speed of vehicles approaching the crossings and therefore increase the safety of pedestrians crossing the road, especially school children walking to and from the nearby schools.
If you would like to post in your feedback, download and print our feedback form template, fill in your details and send it to Freepost using the address details on the form.
What happens next
- We’ll consider all the feedback we receive, and then decide the best way to move forward.
- We’ll post the outcome of this proposal and a summary of community feedback on this webpage.
- We can email you the proposal outcome as soon as it’s ready – just select that option when you fill in the survey.
More information
This proposal is supported by the Auckland regional fuel tax.
Northcross: Safe with us
Auckland Transport cares for your safety. We want to make our roads safe for everyone, people walking and cycling, especially for our kids and senior citizens and people driving. Projects like this one around Oteha Valley Road, East Coast Road and Carlisle Road are another step towards our goal of achieving no deaths or serious injuries on our roads. We are guided by the Vision Zero approach to transport safety, which prioritises human safety over other measures (like minor time saving).