Te Atatu corridor project updates Te Atatu corridor project updates
2017
14 July
Councillor for Waitakere, Linda Cooper, recently took a drive along Te Atatu Road to talk through the project and improvements.
9 June
New traffic lights from 12 June
On Monday morning, 12 June, the new traffic lights at the Edmonton Road/Flanshaw Road intersection with Te Atatu Road are due to be turned on.
This major milestone means that instead of the old roundabout, traffic flow through this complex intersection will be controlled by traffic lights.
The lights are programmed to give all intersecting roads a fair opportunity to move to and from Te Atatu Road and will also be synchronised with all other lights on the way to the motorway, to enable better flow and faster travel times.
Changes to right turns
From 12 June:
- Right turns to Flanshaw Road will be prohibited at all times.
- Right turns at Royal View Road will be permitted at all times.
Changes to pedestrian crossings
When the lights are commissioned on 12 June, existing pedestrian crossings will be decommissioned and moved to the new traffic lights (where they will be controlled by the lights):
The pedestrian crossings no longer in use will be:
- The signalised pedestrian crossing across Edmonton Road (between Countdown and the new shops)
- The zebra crossing across Te Atatu Road outside the church (north of Flanshaw Road).
Motorists should be especially careful as some pedestrians may still attempt to cross the road in these places.
Still left to do
The major outstanding road work is widening the western side of Te Atatu Road between Vera Road and Royal View Road.
When this is complete, Te Atatu Road (between the new traffic lights and the motorway) will receive a final top-seal of asphalt.
This work is due to be completed in mid 2017. We will give a more precise date when we are sure it will be met.
Property works
There is work at a small number of properties left to finish. These are mostly works that could not be completed until after road works are completed or there are difficult issues to be resolved.
The property works include:
- Re-building front boundary fences and walls between private property and the road.
- Re-grading driveways within properties.
- Building retaining walls at some properties.
- Other repairs to property damaged as a result of, or made necessary by, the project.
Edmonton Road footpaths
By the time the roadworks finish, the Edmonton Road footpaths will be mostly completed.
On the southern side of Edmonton Road and in a few places on Te Atatu Road, the driveways run downhill into the properties.
The project has moved front boundaries closer to the properties and also raised the road levels. This means the driveways must be built-up to meet the new road level and the built-up section must be “faired in” to the existing driveway so that the end result is a drive with a nice smooth climb to meet the vehicle crossing at the new, higher level.
For some properties, widening and raising the road has made the berm fall too steeply between the footpath and the property boundary. In these cases a retaining wall needs to be built on the boundary so that fill can be placed between the wall and the footpath, to make the berm flatter and easier to mow.
On every property the needs are different and it is time-consuming work so, in order to get the roadway and footpath sections finished as soon as possible, it was decided to focus resources in this area, and to finish the property/vehicle crossings later.
Accordingly, even though the footpath sections were raised, concreted and mostly complete, the vehicle crossings were left at the original (lower) height for the time being and given a temporary asphalt seal
With Edmonton Road roadway, and Te Atatu Road roadway south of the roundabout to Wakeling Avenue, now completed, and the eastern side of Te Atatu Road north from the roundabout to Bridge Ave widened and just awaiting final seal, it will soon be possible to redirect resources onto finishing the sections of footpath described above.
This will require the vehicle crossings and the ends of the driveways to be raised simultaneously and given a final concrete finish. When this is done, the footpaths and vehicle crossings will all be at the same height.
Phone cable cut
On Wednesday 31 May, a digger operating in Royal View Road struck and cut a major power cable.
This was incorrectly reported as having been cut in Flanshaw Road (the cable serves Flanshaw Road and various other neighbourhoods, but is located in Royal View Road).
It was a major cable with 800 individual connections that had to be rejoined individually and tested. This took Chorus, the owner of the cable, a number of days to complete
How the cable came to be where it was and why the digger cut it is being investigated.
14 March
The recent extreme weather means that Covil Avenue will not fully re-open until 25 March (originally planned for 20 March).
The closure of the intersection of Jaemont Avenue (south) and Te Atatu Road has also been delayed and the re-opening date is now scheduled for 1 April 2017.
7 March
Jaemont South intersection closure
The southern intersection of Jaemont Avenue and Te Atatu Road will be closed for approximately 2 weeks, from 13 March to approximately 25 March (weather and circumstances permitting).
Detours will be in place via Wakeling Avenue and/or Tiroroa Road. Lyndhurst Road, Merchant Avenue, and the Jaemont (north) intersection with Te Atatu Road.
Bus stop relocations
Bus stops are having to be moved as works are undertaken in different parts of the road.
The bus stop outside 307 Te Atatu Road (stop 5097) is being temporarily relocated to south of intersection with Covil Avenue.
The bus stop outside 275 Te Atatu Road (stop 5099) is being temporarily closed. Use stop outside 251 Te Atatu Road (new location of stop 5101).
The bus stop outside 294 Te Atatu Road (stop 5096) is being temporarily moved to south of intersection with Vera Road.
The bus stop outside 243 Te Atatu Road (stop 5101) is being relocated permanently to 251 Te Atatu Road (north of original location).
The bus stop outside 270 Te Atatu Road (stop 5094) is being temporarily closed.
The bus stop opposite 218 Edmonton Road (stop 5351) is being temporarily relocated west on Edmonton Road.
Night works
For approximately 2 weeks from 5 March 2017, night works will be carried out in various places in Te Atatu Road between the roundabout and Covil Avenue, and also in Edmonton Road
Progress report
- 100% of all site clearance is complete.
- 99% of all drainage work is complete.
- 95% of all service relocation is complete.
- 90% of all retaining walls have been built.
- 83% all road widening is complete.
- All street lights are installed.
- Traffic lights are installed but not commissioned and software development is underway.
- 66% of all footpaths have been built and kerb and channel installed.
- 55% of all road building has been completed.
Completion
The estimated project completion date is mid 2017. It is not possible to give a specific date at this time
16 January
Te Atatu roundabout rebuild continues
From Sunday 22 January 2017, contractors will be continue work begun in November to level out the road surfaces where Te Atatu, Edmonton, Lyndhurst and Flanshaw Roads approach each other and meet at the roundabout.
Most work will be done at night to avoid disruption to daytime traffic. The roundabout will have a change in operation and temporary road layouts, detours, and traffic management will be in place.
Between 7.30pm and 5am, the intersections between Te Atatu Road and Lyndhurst and Flanshaw Roads will be closed, as will the southern entrance of Te Atatu Road to the roundabout. Detours will be in place.
The connection between Edmonton Road and Te Atatu Road north of the roundabout will remain open at all times under Stop/Go control.
Noise will be kept to a minimum but AT and Higgins Contractors will work with affected residents before and during the works.
Work is expected to be completed by 2 February 2017 (weather permitting).
Map of intersection closures in place between 7.30pm and 5am.
2016
27 November
Te Atatu roundabout rebuild night works
Contractors are beginning works to level out the road surfaces where Te Atatu, Edmonton, Lyndhurst and Flanshaw Roads approach each other and meet at the roundabout.
Most work will be done at night (between 8pm and 6am) to avoid disruption to daytime traffic flows.
Weather permitting, work is expected to be completed on or before the night of Monday 12 December.
16 August
Work at the intersection of Vera Road and Te Atatu Road has begun. The work includes drainage installation and service crossings on Te Atatu Road. Drainage installation on Vera Road will start on 21 August.
The intersection of Lyndhurst Road with Te Atatu Road will be closed until 21 August (approximately) while a second stormwater treatment station is installed.
Other recent progress:
- Edmonton Rd pavement works have started (pictured). Works will be on one side of the road at a time, with some work being done at night.
- Streetlight installation is 35% complete.
- Service relocations, drainage, retaining walls, and property works are continuing.
Get more details in the latest project newsletter (PDF 852KB)
27 May
Lane closure from 13 June
From 13 June, Te Atatu Road will have only 1 northbound lane between the Edmonton Road roundabout and the motorway. This is to give workers safe work areas as they continue to move underground services (power, phone, and gas)
Improved flow from Te Atatu Road onto the motorway, via the newly completed motorway interchange, will help keep traffic moving towards the north and city, although delays may be experienced.
Two southbound lanes must be kept open to minimise tailbacks onto the motorway by traffic heading south in the evening peak. This means that the closed lane must be on the northern side even for works in the eastern berm.
It is not possible to have 2 northbound lanes in the morning and then switch to 2 southbound lanes in the evening. Traffic signals are hard-wired to control the different traffic flows north and
Work programmes for the week starting Monday, 30 May
- Te Atatu Road (eastern side) north from Lyndhurst Road - installation of drainage.
- Edmonton Road (northern side) between School Road and the roundabout - installation of drainage.
- Between Lyndhurst Road and Wakeling Road:
- Construction of the common services trench.
- Continue relocating the gas line.
6 May
Works for week commencing Monday, May 9
- Begin drainage work along Te Atatu Road at Lyndhurst Road.
- Continue installing common service trench on
west side of Te Atatu Road outside Countdown. - Continue installing common service trench and testing / commissioning of water main on Te Atatu Road between Lyndhurst Road and Jaemont Avenue (south).
- Continue constructing retaining wall on Te Atatu Road between Jaemont (north) and Covil Avenues.
A common service trench creates one single conduit for all underground services instead of digging separate trenches for each (the trench is big enough to allow the appropriate clearances between each service).
Common trenches are a time- and cost-effective way to install services and also mean that services can be easily located for any future roadworks.
5 May
Works this week
- Continue drainage and water main works on Te Atatu Road between Lyndhurst Road and Jaemont Avenue.
- Begin site clearance and service trench digging on
west side of Te Atatu Road south of Edmonton Road (opposite Countdown). - Begin drainage work at Lyndhurst Road.
2 May
Te Atatu Road lane closure
A reduction in road lanes on Te Atatu Road this year is now only for part of the northbound lane - from the Edmonton Road roundabout to Vera Road - compared with the
Higgins Contractors closed a northbound lane to give themselves a safe working space to move underground services (power, water and phone) closer to new property
Higgins has now completed re-mapping the services and with a clear picture of what is under the surface, it is only necessary to partly close the northbound lane.
When
Night works
Vera Road
On Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 May, night works will be carried out in Vera Road outside the pharmacy, weather permitting.
This work involves open trenching across the rear exit driveway from Amcal All Seasons for the installation and connection of a storm water pipe.
The hours of work are between 12 midnight and 5am on both days.
Jaemont Avenue
Night works will continue on Jaemont Avenue on Wednesday 4 May, from 8pm to 5am, and Thursday 5 May, from 8pm to 11pm.
Exit from Jaemont Ave to Te Atatu Road will be closed from 7pm until work ceases on both nights and will require a detour. The entrance to Jaemont Ave from Te Atatu Road will remain open.
2015
14 December
Te Atatu Road lane closure
Only 3 lanes are operating in Te Atatu Road for the duration of the
- Move underground services (power, water, gas phone, etc) in the berm, Higgins Contractors need to close the adjacent road lane for workers and vehicles to work safely. In some places, it is necessary to trench the road as well.
- Closing a north-bound lane causes less disruption than would
closing asouth-bound lane, because:
-
- The speed of traffic
north-bound at peaktimes, is governed by 3 factors: the volume of traffic, vehicles merging from 2 lanes on the motorway on-ramp and vehicles stopping for ramp signals. This impacts all traffic queued in Te Atatu Road, in both lanes.
Because traffic speed is governed at the motorway and this won’t change, traffic speed through the work site remains much the same as always. The principal impact comes from the fact that by being in one lane, the traffic queue is longer. - Having 1 south-bound lane would mean afternoon traffic would create a longer queue with greater motorway tailbacks. This would impact a much wider part of the roading network and is not acceptable.
- The speed of traffic
- It’s not possible to open 2 lanes
north-bound each morning or to do “tidal flow” – 2north-bound in the morning and 2 south in the afternoon. This is because it is highly unlikely that the closed lane will be in a fit state to open each day.
- Changing lanes to operate "tidal flow" would take time out of each day and add months to the project.
- It would not be possible to provide safe right-turn bays.
- A second lane closed by safety vehicles would occur during the cut-over period.
- Dangers may occur for workers and road users alike.
- Tidal flow" would not improve travel times.
- Underground services are being shifted in the eastern berm at present (nearest the city). This means
- the near-side south-bound-lane is closed.
- The next
south-bound lane remains south-bound. - The next lane converts from north–bound to south-bound.
- The fourth lane remains north-bound.
- Because this is a permanent arrangement, traffic sensing equipment (induction loops) that helps control traffic lights phasing, has been re-positioned to the 2 south, 1 north layout. Shifting traffic back and forward for a tidal flow would essentially mean the loops are in the wrong position for one set up. This would affect the operation of the loops currently set up for the right turns into Jaemont Ave, Covil Ave and Vera Road. The arrangement cannot be adjusted daily to reinstate the north-bound lane or to accommodate tidal flow.
Businesses are open as usual
All Te Atatu business are open as usual and AT/Higgins are keeping driveways to businesses open 24/7.
Despite the roadworks, shops, restaurants, clinics and other businesses are still easily accessible. With the summer and school holidays, traffic should become very light.
14 September
Work began on 10 August 2015. The initial phase involves relocating underground services (power, water, stormwater and gas), relocating property front boundaries and other preparatory works (also called enabling works).
This phase also includes temporarily reconfiguring road markings in both Edmonton Road and Te Atatu Road. This includes removing flush medians to enable the area to be used by traffic while contractors are working in the existing traffic lanes. The roundabout has been reduced in size.
Trenching work, at
Cyclists should take alternative routes
Alternative cycle routes around Te Atatu Road and Edmonton Road map
Preparatory work is also being done by owners to reconstruct the shops at the intersection of Edmonton, Flanshaw and Te Atatu Roads. This is a private project and not part of AT’s upgrade project.
3 August
Initial work on Te Atatu Road will be in the
- establishing new front boundaries for properties from which land has been acquired for road widening.
- moving underground services (phone, power, gas etc.).
- realigning footpaths.
The first stage of work will be in Edmonton Road between School Rd and Te Atatu Rd and a 30km/h speed restriction will be in place. Motorists are advised to expect delays at peak times.
Subsequent stages will continue this work the full length of Te Atatu Road, between Wakeling Ave and Bridge Rd.
Higgins will prioritise removing the Te Atatu roundabout and replacing it with a smaller one, which will operate until traffic signals are installed.
Construction begins on 4 August 2015.
22 July
Higgins Contractors have been appointed to undertake the Te Atatu Road corridor improvement works.
Work in the first week will involve measuring and marking for phase 1 of works, which will be on the berms. This stage will include
The road will be kept open during the work, but one lane may have to be narrowed to allow work teams to operate safely. Speed restrictions will apply in the area.
Public open day
A public open day will be held on Sunday 26 July, from 1pm to 5pm, at the Te Atatu South Community Centre, 247 Edmonton Road.
Auckland Transport and Higgins Contractors will explain the detail of the project and the work timetable.
NZTA will also explain their project to upgrade the Te Atatu Motorway Interchange and the Causeway and how this connects to Te Atatu Road.
10 June
Tenders from contractors wanting to carry out the Te Atatu corridor upgrade have been received and are being evaluated.
The successful contractor will be announced soon and they will then work with Auckland Transport to define the stages in which work will be carried out.
May
The first stage of the $30 million Te Atatu Road Corridor is underway between the motorway and Wakeling Avenue - a development which will help traffic to flow better on Te Atatu Road and into and out of, surrounding streets.
- The roundabout at the intersection of Te Atatu, Edmonton and Flanshaw Roads is to be replaced by traffic signals. These will be synchronised with other traffic lights along this route, to ensure that traffic benefits from better and fairer control.
- Because the roundabout has to go, Auckland Council removed the sculpture (which it owns). Several months earlier, Vector Communications moved
its underground services on Edmonton Road. - Right-turns from Te Atatu Road into Flanshaw Road will be prohibited but alternative routes will be available to affected motorists.
- Other features include bus priority measures, widened intersections with dedicated lanes for left and right turning and straight-ahead traffic, on-road cycle lanes and shared cycle/walking paths.
- Meanwhile, a painted flush median between Wakeling and the motorway will enable turning vehicles to get out of the traffic stream - helping to improve overall traffic flow and giving a
clearway for emergency vehicles.
Edmonton Road shops
The first phase of the development included the demolition of the shops on the intersection of Edmonton and Flanshaw Roads to give Auckland Transport (AT) room to widen Edmonton Road to three lanes at this point to give better traffic flow into Te Atatu Road.
With AT having made room for the road widening, a new block of shops will now be built beside the intersection restoring the service and convenience residents have always enjoyed.
Getting to this point was made possible by the Wong family who owned the original block of shops and who will build the new block.
Auckland Transport only required a piece of the Wong’s land to widen the intersection, but it also needed to demolish part of the block.
As we couldn’t just demolish some of the shops, AT bought the whole site and demolished the whole building. This enables us to subdivide the property, keep the “slice” of land that we need and sell the rest back to the Wong family. They will aggregate this with the next door property that they own and build a modern, architecturally-designed, mixed-use block as illustrated above. Mixed-use allows the block to be used for any mix of apartments, shops and other businesses.
Contractors are now being asked to submit tenders to undertake the corridor works. The appointed contractor will not undertake all the works all at once, but in stages thus limiting inconvenience to road users to different places at different times, rather than along the whole length of the road at all times.
Once appointed, the contractor will identify the various stages they will construct at any one time, the sequence in which the stages will be upgraded, and the timing for each stage.
This information will be provided to affected residents specifically by personal communications and; to residents and road users generally by way of articles in news media, newsletters, advertising, and roadside signage.
Works will commence in July 2015 and take about 2 years.
Construction of the new shops is a separate exercise carried out by the landowners and is expected during 2015.