Takaanini level crossings engagement

Spartan Road is an industrial area used by heavy vehicles. A bridge at Spartan Road for walking and cycling was originally proposed to replace the level crossing back in 2022 and the land is protected by Designation 1855. 

To save money, fit in with the community better and minimise construction impacts, we’re proposing some changes to the previous plans. We’ve also incorporated feedback we heard from our engagement with stakeholders and the community in September 2025.

Option 1

Close the level crossing and build a new bridge for walking and cycling. We would create turning areas on both sides of the rail tracks for vehicles no longer able to use the level crossing.

Option 2

Close the level crossing and future-proof the area for walking and cycling in the future. We would build turning areas on both sides of the tracks, for vehicles no longer able to use the level crossing.

Option 3 (recommended option)

Close the level crossing and not build a bridge for walking and cycling, to save money that can be better used in other areas of the project. We would create turning areas on both sides of the rail tracks for vehicles no longer able to use the level crossing.

We are recommending not building the bridge because of:

• low numbers of pedestrians and cyclists
• no future residential growth planned nearby
• narrow constraints under the existing SH1 off-ramp
• major impacts on utilities
• the road being used by heavy vehicles making it unsafe for people walking and cycling.

Benefits of option 3

We would build turning areas on both sides of the rail tracks for vehicles no longer able to use the level crossing. This avoids having to shift major utilities. It also means money can be reallocated into other areas of the project in Takaanini.

The Manuia Road bridge would be a new route for vehicles travelling towards Great South Road from Spartan Road via Oakleigh Avenue. This provides greatly needed additional capacity for traffic flow to Great South Road. It also helps to shift heavy vehicles away from residential areas and schools.

The new bridge at Manuia Road would also give a safer route for people walking and cycling.

Northbound

With the level crossing closing at Spartan Road, northbound:

• vehicles would turn left out of Spartan Road onto Great South Road
• cars and small trucks could take a U-turn at the traffic lights at southbound SH1 ramps and the Great South Road intersection
• larger vehicles would be unable to U-turn on Great South Road but could turn left into Manuia Road and take a U-turn at the proposed new roundabout and go back onto Great South Road
• vehicles continue north onto SH1 or on Great South Road.

Southbound

Southbound vehicles would:

• turn left out of Spartan Road onto Great South Road
• continue onto the Takanini on ramp to SH1 or on to Great South Road.

A vehicle bridge at Manuia Road was originally proposed back in 2022, and land is protected by Designation 1855.

A new bridge will be built with 2 lanes in each direction. It will link Great South Road to Oakleigh Avenue. This will help give more capacity for traffic flow in Takaanini.

Currently, heavy vehicles travelling to Great South Road from Spartan Road use the level crossing at Manuroa Road. This is a residential area with schools. The new Manuia Road bridge is designed to encourage heavy vehicles away from residential areas and schools.

The proposed design has been updated to include:

• 2 lanes each way for vehicles to manage traffic flow
• separated walking and cycling lanes on both sides of the bridge
• a loop road to homes and businesses at the existing Manuia Road with access kept to the shopping area from Manuia Road
• more lanes added on parts of Great South Road (increasing to 3 in each direction) to improve capacity
• a roundabout at the Oakleigh intersection to allow for heavy vehicles and manage traffic flow to and from the new Manuia bridge and allow for U-turns
• parking changes on Oakleigh Avenue to help the flow of heavy vehicles nearing the roundabout
• separated walking and cycling paths on both sides of the bridge and pedestrian and cycle crossings on Oakleigh Avenue and Hitchcock Road arms of the roundabout
• land for future growth development opportunities
• a future-proofed bridge design for additional rail tracks.

We will remove the Manuroa Road level crossing and replace it with a new walking and cycling bridge. The new connection will make it safer and easier for people to access schools, public transport and local businesses.

Planning work has been underway since 2022 and the land is protected by Designation 1855.

The proposed design has been updated to include:

• a walking and cycling bridge with ramps and stairs or lifts and stairs
• stairs to make it easy for people with bikes
• a new cul-de-sac on the western side of Manuroa Road, large enough to allow a bus to U-turn
• a new cul-de-sac on the eastern side with a new turning area
• the bridge is future-proofed for additional rail tracks and future platform extension at Takaanini Station.

We are proposing 2 options for Manuroa Road.

Option 1 is a bridge with ramps and stairs.

The advantages of ramps and stairs are:

• reliable, ongoing access
• no break in journey for people on bikes or wheels
• they do not need much maintenance.

The disadvantages of ramps and stairs are:

• the ramps are long — the bridge needs to be high enough to go over the overhead electrical lines so it takes more time and effort to get across the bridge
• it takes up more land available for future development opportunities.

Option 2 is a bridge with lifts and stairs.

The advantages of lifts and stairs are:

• quicker, more convenient and accessible for those needing mobility help
• robust lifts to suit all weather condition
• space for prams, wheelchairs, scooters and bikes
• takes up less land, giving more opportunities for future development.

The disadvantages of lifts and stairs are that:

• they need maintenance and may break down (there is a response and maintenance plan for these situations)
• busy times may bring wait times
• some may feel vulnerable in the confined space.

The level crossing on Taka Street will be removed and replaced with a new vehicle bridge to provide a safer connection and keep traffic, people and trains moving. Planning work has been underway since 2022 and the land is protected by Designation 1855.

Originally the design proposed the bridge to be built directly above the current alignment for Taka Street. Changes have been made to the design so it no longer gets built above the current road alignment, meaning Taka Street can be kept partially open during construction.

The proposed design has been updated to include:

• the bridge moving north which means Taka Street can be kept partially open during construction and there is better access to Takanini Lodge (Care Centre)
• a new vehicle bridge with one vehicle lane in each direction
• separated walking and cycling lanes on both sides of the bridge and pedestrian crossings to provide safer connections
• anti-throw screens to stop anti-social behaviour
• a new bus stop for closer access to Takaanini Station
• a future-proofed bridge for additional rail tracks.

We are looking at 2 options for Taka Street which will change the way people access Cathay Lane.

Option 1

This option keeps on-road access to Cathay Lane and Takanini Reserve from Taka Street. This is similar to how it is now. It has greater impact on Takanini Reserve and Skate Park, including mature trees. It also creates a more complex intersection for people accessing Cathay Lane.

Option 2

This option will provide access to Cathay Lane through a road that goes under the bridge.

It will lessen the impact on Takanini Reserve and Skate Park, including mature trees. There will be a more simplified intersection to access Cathay Lane.

The level crossing on Walters Road will be removed and replaced with a vehicle bridge. This will provide a safer connection and keep traffic, people and trains moving. Planning work has been underway since 2022 and the land is protected by Designation 1854.

The original design for this bridge was proposed to be built close to Walters Road.

The updated design changes the alignment of the bridge away from Walters Road. This means:

• Walters Road can be kept partially open during construction to lessen disruption
• larger areas of land are freed up for commercial redevelopment to help the future growth of Takaanini.

The design has been updated to include:

• a new road bridge will be built with one vehicle lane in each direction
• separated walking and cycling paths on both sides of Walters Road
• widening of the existing shared path on the northern side of Walter Road, which means the mature trees can be kept
• a simplified and safer intersection to Great South Road
• anti-throw screens to discourage anti-social behaviour
• safer connection from Tironui Road into Walters Road
• future-proofing for additional rail tracks.

Learn about the background of this project and the first phase of engagement we did back in September 2025 here: Takaanini level crossings.