AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

26 June 2006

Major traffic changes ahead for Great South Road

The first stage of a traffic management plan for Project Greenlane comes into effect this Sunday, 2 July.

A temporary median will be installed on Great South Road, between Green Lane West and Campbell Road, meaning traffic will be unable to make right-turns into and from Great South Road.

This will ensure the work site is safe and traffic management is consistent for pedestrians and road users, but will impact the way people access the area.

“Project Greenlane is a critical part of Auckland City’s plan to give Aucklanders more sustainable travel choices. It will make bus travel, cycling and walking better in this key area, as well as safely manage traffic flow,” says the council’s roads manager Matthew Rednall.

“Our priority is to get the work done as safely and quickly as possible, so disruption to the local community is minimised. This is a challenging work environment, and the traffic management plan has been designed to balance its many competing demands.

“A number of alternative traffic management plans have been investigated and this introduction of the temporary median offers the most appropriate safety measures,” says Mr Rednall.

The temporary median will replace the existing flush median. An ongoing review process of the temporary median and the traffic management plan will be undertaken to assess the effectiveness and safety of the median. This will occur throughout the project which is expected to be completed in November 2007.

Two traffic lanes in each direction will be maintained during peak hours, with parking retained to support the local businesses outside these hours.

“The local roads feed one of New Zealand’s busiest motorway interchanges and carry significant numbers of buses, so it’s important that traffic is safely managed at all times,” says Mr Rednall.

“There are also significant numbers of pedestrians, businesses and residents in the area, as well as major gas and other utility connections. Safety is paramount.

“We will be monitoring the traffic management plan daily, and making changes to ensure it’s working for the area. If it’s possible to remove the median earlier than expected, we will,” says Mr Rednall.

Information about the traffic management plan has been distributed to the immediate area. Traffic signage will be installed this week, and radio and print advertising also starts later in the week.

Two open days will be held this Thursday and Saturday, for anyone interested in or concerned about the traffic management plan. Members of the Project Greenlane team will be on hand to answer queries including representatives from Auckland City, the construction contractor HEB Smithbridge Ltd, and engineers.

What: Project Greenlane traffic management open days
When: 3pm to 7.30pm, Thursday, 29 June
10am to 1pm, Saturday, 1 July
Where: Greenlane Presbyterian Church lounge
corner of Green Lane West and Great South Road.

For more information about the traffic management plan, and to see where Project Greenlane fits into the council’s sustainable transport plan visit: www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/greenlane

ENDS

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