St Heliers Bay Road intersections improvements

In May 2025, we talked with the St Heliers community about ways to improve traffic flow at two busy intersections on St Heliers Bay Road:

• St Johns Road and Kohimarama Road
• Long Drive and Ashby Avenue.

These intersections often have congestion and long queues at peak times, mainly because of high numbers of turning vehicles.

We proposed targeted, low‑cost changes to improve traffic flow and safety.

Our suggestions included

At St Heliers Bay Road, St Johns Road and Kohimarama Road intersection:

• changing the lane markings to add a second right-turn lane from St Johns Road
• changing the traffic signals to support vehicles using the new right-turn lane
• adding a new cycle connector lane and shared path from St Heliers Bay Road to connect people to the Glen Innes to Tāmaki Shared Path – Te Ara Ki Uta Ki Tai
• changing the bus stop and shelter near the Mobil petrol station (ID 7836) to make space for the new shared path
• building a bigger concrete pad at the bus stop outside St Thomas Church (ID 7843)
• adding new broken yellow lines on the St Johns Road side of the intersection so parked cars do not block traffic flow.

At St Heliers Bay Road, Long Drive and Ashby Avenue intersection: 

• marking new lanes on all sides for turning and going straight
• changing parts of the kerb to make room for the new lanes
• upgrading traffic signals to support traffic flow through the new lanes
• moving the bus stop on St Heliers Bay Road near Ashby Avenue (ID 7740) to the opposite side of the intersection to create more space for vehicles to queue
• improving pedestrian crossing ramps and adding new tactile pavers for better accessibility
• adding new broken yellow lines to stop parked cars from blocking traffic in the new lanes.

What we heard

Public engagement ran from 12 to 30 May 2025. Overall feedback on both projects was largely positive. Most people agreed the changes would improve their journeys.

After reviewing all the feedback and suggestions, we made three changes to our plans:

• widened the shared path around the bus stop near Mobil petrol station (ID 7836) so people walking and cycling have more space to pass each other
• moved the bus stop at St Heliers Bay Road and Ashby Avenue (ID 7740) further away from the intersection so vehicles can safely pass stopped buses
• added another 8 metres of broken yellow lines on Ashby Avenue to create more space for vehicles to queue.

With these changes, we’re now ready to deliver both projects to the community.

We’re currently aiming for the end of April or early May to start construction. We’ll let the community know as soon as dates are confirmed.

Auckland Network Optimisation aims to make Auckland’s network more effective. It will do this by improving and providing effective travel choices and road safety. It is a joint programme between Auckland Transport and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

As Auckland continues to grow, so does our need to move more people and goods more efficiently. We also need to build resilience in both existing and new communities.

Aucklanders have told us they want a transport system that:

• is convenient, well-connected, accessible and reliable
• moves them around if they choose to drive, walk, ride a train, bus, bike or ferry.

To keep our city moving, we are making smarter, more dynamic use of our roads, footpaths and cycleways. New transport infrastructure is important but it’s also expensive. We’re adopting new technologies and systems to use our limited space and funding better.

We look at making relatively inexpensive and quick changes to our roads and paths to:

• improve efficiency, safety and agility
• support economic growth outcomes
• reduce reliance on only major infrastructure to improve our transport network.

Small strategic changes, such as converting existing lanes to new bus or transit lanes, keep people and goods moving. These changes also support reliable public transport which contributes to a more connected, healthier city.

We will work with the community to deliver on transport initiatives that benefit all road users. Whether taking kids to schools, getting to and from work, cycling in the park, going shopping or heading to events, we're part of your life.

We're working to shape our city and provide transport choices for a growing, vibrant Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.