NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA)’s plan to make the Dunedin SH1 one-way system easier to use, safer for everyone and more efficient takes its next step from today (Tuesday, 15 April). People’s feedback is welcome from Tuesday to Friday, 23 May.

Running between The Oval and the Pine Hill Road/Great King St intersection, SH1 on Cumberland and Castle Streets, is a key freight and commuter route linking the north and south sides of the city.

“In particular, NZTA wants to know what Dunedin people think of the preferred option for making the Pine Hill Road/SH1 and Great King St intersection safer and more functional for everyone,” says Ian Duncan, Acting Director of Regional Relationships for NZTA in Otago.

The intersection is a key part of the SH1 one-way system into and through Dunedin, close to the Botanic Gardens and the entrance to North East Valley.

• NZTA is now keen to hear what people think of its preferred option for this intersection, with several other proposed safety improvements to the SH1 one-way system, to help guide the next steps for this option. Information on consultation and feedback here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh1-dunedin-improvements/
• Link to the survey here: https://surveys.nzta.govt.nz/jfe/form/SV_3shv1Sw193rbmGW

“The SH1 proposed improvements are part of a business case which identifies ways to improve accessibility, supports new developments like the new Dunedin Hospital, while maintaining efficient traffic flow, and reduces risk for road users and pedestrians,” says Mr Duncan.

He notes the long-standing safety concerns with increased risk of crashes because of limited visibility and heavy vehicles descending a steep hill at the SH1/ Pine Hill Road/Great King Street intersection.

“Our preferred option is to realign the SH1 traffic lane,” he says. “This would improve visibility and safety at the intersection and make it safer and more efficient for people heading to North East Valley.”

This would involve shifting the existing uphill traffic lane about ten metres into an area of Town Belt, requiring about 1000m² of this land. (See map below). The existing bridge over the Water of Leith would be widened. NZTA will work with the Dunedin City Council on ways to compensate for the loss of public land.

What were the other options for that intersection?

Several options for making the SH1/Pine Hill/Great King St intersection safer were investigated and discussed with key stakeholders including the Dunedin City Council and road freight operators.

These included traffic signals and an overpass to separate SH1 traffic from vehicles using Great King Street. The overpass option was not progressed for several reasons: the cost, construction challenges, proximity to the Water of the Leith and environmental impacts, says Mr Duncan. The traffic signal option was not taken further given the significant safety concerns if a heavy vehicle lost traction or could not stop on the hill.

“NZTA’s preferred option would also increase the safety of the nearby Duke Street/SH1 Cumberland Street intersection. There were nine crashes there between 2019 and 2023, two-thirds of them caused by drivers trying to cross two busy lanes of the highway to Duke Street’s western side. To make this intersection safer, we are proposing to remove the straight-through movement, and only allow left turns out of Duke Street on the eastern side to SH1 going south. We want to hear what people think of this idea also.”

• Full details on all the proposed improvements for this SH1 Dunedin corridor are available on the project website https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh1-dunedin-improvements/ along with details on how to provide feedback.
• More information about NZTA’s proposed improvement plans for SH1 and SH88 St Andrew Street to support transport access to the new Dunedin Hospital, will be available in the second half of 2025.

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