Residents encouraged to comment on Curletts Road proposals

Christchurch residents have until this Friday (6 September) to comment on the NZ Transport Agency's options to improve traffic congestion along Curletts Road, between Blenheim Road and Main South Road.

Traffic volumes along the road have risen 5,000 a day to 25,000 with a change in travel patterns following the earthquakes. Curletts Road is a state highway and important link for both commuters and freight.

The Transport Agency's Highway Manager Christchurch Colin Knaggs says they have already received feedback on the three options from more than 130 residents.

"To date, the majority of respondents favour Option 2 - the creation of two clearway lanes within the existing on-street parking lanes, including the reinstatement of the central flush median and pedestrian islands, and the sealing of the grass berms to provide a wider footpath for shared cyclist/pedestrian use.'

He says there has been strong support for keeping the flush median to assist traffic turning right into side streets. "There has also been general support for parking outside the shops.

"Opinion to date has been divided over whether the clearways should in fact be permanent, with half the respondents favouring the road being made four lanes to make it safer and simpler to understand."

It is proposed the clearways would operate from 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm.

Mr Knaggs said he encouraged all residents and motorists using Curletts Road to take time to go online and consider the three options being proposed to improve traffic congestion along the highway.

"Since 2011, temporary measures in place have been an additional tidal traffic lane which changes direction depending on the time of the day. It is controlled by manually shifting a line of cones twice a day."

For more information and to provide feedback, visit the website: www.nzta.govt.nz/curletts-road

For more information visit www.nzta.govt.nz

ENDS

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