Ti Rakau Drive traffic flow improvements Ti Rakau Drive traffic flow improvements
Auckland Transport (AT) wants to improve journey times for commuters along
Ti Rakau Drive and the surrounding area. Our proposal includes changing some intersection layouts, adding peak hour bus lanes and improved pedestrian and cycling features.
Feedback closed on 12 November 2017.
Project status: Consultation closed 12 November.
Project zone: East.
Project overview
Ti Rakau Drive has traffic congestion issues particularly during peak times.
This proposal includes bus lanes and intersection changes which will improve Ti Rakau Drive by reducing queue times and improving reliability and punctuality of bus services.
There are also pedestrian and cycling improvements making Ti Rakau Drive a safer and more pleasant journey for all users.
Features
There are 6 features of this project:
- Introduce peak hour bus lanes on Ti Rakau Drive, between Wheatley Avenue and Gossamer Drive.
- Remove right turns at the Edgewater Drive (east) intersection with Ti Rakau Drive.
- Introduce two right turn traffic lanes into Gossamer Drive from Ti Rakau Drive.
- Extend the two left turn traffic lanes into Botany Road from Ti Rakau Drive.
- Extend the left turn lane into Ti Rakau Drive by changing the layout of Te Irirangi Drive at the Countdown entrance.
- Introduce two left turn traffic lanes into Chapel Road from Ti Rakau Drive.
Project details
1. Peak hour bus lanes on Ti Rakau Drive
We propose to install peak hour bus lanes on Ti Rakau Drive between Wheatley Avenue and Gossamer Drive. These will operate westbound 7am-10am and eastbound 4pm-7pm.
This will remove existing kerb-side parking during bus lane operating times. Parking would be allowed in these bus lanes outside these times.
By improving bus travel flow through this section, public transport will be faster, more reliable, and a more practical alternative for those travelling through the area.
Image: Proposed road layout with the Westbound and Eastbound peak hour bus lanes in use.
Download high resolution maps for peak hour bus lanes on Ti Rakau Drive (PDF 14MB) Note: large file size.
2. Edgewater Drive (East) intersection
We propose to remove the right turns from Ti Rakau Drive into and out of Edgewater Drive (eastern end).
Removing the right turns will provide the space needed for the bus lane and allow safer pedestrian movement across Edgewater Drive.
Vehicles turning right onto or from Ti Rakau Drive will be able to use the intersection at the western end of Edgewater Drive (see map for detail).
Download high resolution maps for Edgewater Drive (East) intersection (PDF 2.5MB).
3. Gossamer Drive intersection
We propose to add another right turn lane from Ti Rakau Drive (westbound) into Gossamer Drive.
This change will allow more traffic to turn right from Ti Rakau Drive and improve the efficiency of the intersection.
Download high resolution maps for Gossamer Drive intersection (PDF 4.6MB).
4. Botany Road intersection
We propose to extend the double left turn lanes from Ti Rakau Drive (eastbound) into Botany Road, by narrowing the wide centre island.
Often only one of the left turn lanes from Ti Rakau Drive is accessible as a result of queuing through-traffic.
Extending the second left turn lane will reduce wait times, improve traffic flow on Ti Rakau Drive and improve accessibility to businesses in the area.
Download high resolution maps for Botany Road intersection (PDF 2.2MB).
5. Te Irirangi Drive Countdown carpark entrance
We propose to extend the length of the Te Irirangi Drive left turn slip lane into Ti Rakau Drive.
By reconstructing the layout of the Countdown carpark entrance vehicles turning left into Ti Rakau Drive would be able to enter this lane sooner, without having to queue with through-traffic. This would reduce the waiting time for left turning vehicles. This will improve the reliability of buses coming from Botany Town Centre.
Download high resolution maps for Te Irirangi Drive Countdown carpark entrance (PDF 2.2MB).
6. Chapel Road /Ti Rakau Drive intersection
We propose to add another left turn lane from Ti Rakau Drive (eastbound) into Chapel Road. A new signalised pedestrian crossing would also be installed on the slip lane to improve the safety of pedestrians.
The improvements would separate the large number of left turning and through traffic, resulting in less wait time. Traffic flow on Ti Rakau Drive would be improved allowing access to the greater eastern area.
Download high resolution maps for Chapel Road /Ti Rakau Drive intersection (PDF 2.3MB).
Construction
Ti Rakau Drive is a major arterial road and we recognise that it is an essential connection for many residents and businesses in the area. We hope to complete this project with as little disruption as possible.
With that in mind, there will be no road closure during construction of this project.
To minimise disruption to traffic and bus services, we will work closely with the most affected residents and businesses, and endeavour to coordinate construction times to minimise potential delay.
We expect construction to begin in late 2018.
Public engagement
We want your feedback on the proposed improvements to Ti Rakau Drive to make sure they meet the needs of locals and different users of the area in the best possible way.
We consulted on the proposal from 9 October to 12 November 2017 and received 360 submissions.
Outcome
Your feedback showed good support for our proposals in general, and we received many comments and suggestions. We have considered all your suggestions. Our responses to all your comments and suggestions are detailed in the final section of this report.
Next steps
After considering all feedback, we will:
- proceed with the improvements to Ti Rakau Drive traffic flow as proposed.
- review the new bus lanes on a regular basis to gauge their effectiveness.
Ti Rakau Drive is a major arterial road and we recognise that it is an essential connection for many residents and businesses in the area. We hope to complete this project with as little disruption as possible.
To minimise traffic and bus service interruption, we will work closely with the most affected residents and businesses, and endeavour to coordinate work times to minimise potential delay.
We expect work to begin in late 2018.
Download the brochure for Ti Rakau Drive traffic flow improvements (PDF 13MB)