MEDIA RELEASE

TRANSIT NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON REGIONAL OFFICE

16 June 2008

Report released on SH1 Paremata to Plimmerton Upgrade

The final report on the review of the SH1 Paremata to Plimmerton Upgrade project, which established the Mana Esplanade T2 (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes has been released today.

The joint Transit NZ/Porirua City Council (PCC) review looked into the operation, environment, safety and efficiency of the Upgrade, which was completed in 2005.

Transit Central Operations Manager Mark Owen says the report, prepared by independent consultants, has made several recommendations, which are yet to be ratified by PCC and the Transit New Zealand Board.

The recommendations include further steps to ensure trucks remain in the central lanes through Mana, installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Mana Esplanade and Marina View, changing the T2 lanes into clearways and altering their operating hours to reflect higher traffic volumes at weekends and during peak periods. The report further recommends Porirua City Council construct a separate cycleway / pedestrian walkway around Goat Point and the installation of a pedestrian safety fence around Goat Point to separate the existing footpath from the roadway.

Mr Owen says these initial recommendations were discussed and considered in depth with representatives of residents associations, road user groups, NZ Police, PCC and Transit officers at a meeting on 29 May at Porirua City Council.

“Representatives had an opportunity to discuss the draft report and preliminary recommendations to ensure that their concerns have been addressed and solutions considered. The independent report is now complete, incorporating community consultation with recommendations to modify the operation of this section of highway,” he says.

Porirua City Council Chief Executive Dr Roger Blakeley says the meeting provided a useful forum to discuss the best way forward to suit the various needs of people using this section of road.

“We had to come up with a balance that satisfied the needs of residents as well as for thousands of road users who travel this route every day for business or pleasure. I believe we are well on the way to doing this,” Dr Blakeley says.

The report concludes the upgrade review, which began in September 2007, and covered the area from immediately south of Paremata roundabout to immediately north of Plimmerton roundabout, including SH58 modifications.

The review was conducted by an independent team from Hyder Consulting and Boffa Miskell, on behalf of Transit and Porirua City Council, who have equally shared the costs.

ENDS

© Scoop Media