North Shore Times (New Zealand)
AT plans Lake Rd options
A business case to solve one of Auckland’s worst traffic bottlenecks, Lake Rd out of Devonport peninsular, may be nearing a reality - but residents will believe it when they see it.
Auckland Transport (AT) is set to release an Indicative Business Case with various options and costing to ease Lake Rd traffic congestion in February 2017.
While no specific plans have been released, AT principal transport planner Tim Mueller says there will likely be a ‘‘number of different dimensions’’ to AT’s Lake Rd solution.
A statement from AT says the Indicative Business Case will provide it with a shortlist of short, medium and longterm options to ease Lake Rd traffic.
‘‘AT is aware of the frustration congestion in the area is causing and we are currently developing an indicative business case for the corridor,’’ the statement says.
‘‘We are also working with the New Zealand Transport Agency and we will look at how Esmonde Road functions, particularly with respect to the ramp metering as traffic enters the State Highway.’’
However, DevonportTakapuna local board member Jan O’Connor questions how any Lake Rd solution will be funded, with the huge chunk of Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan budget already assigned to the $2.5 billion City Rail Link.
‘‘Unfortunately there is no money in the AT’s Long Term Plan for any capital costing to do any work at all on Lake Rd,’’ O’Connor says.
After years of government reports on Lake Rd traffic residents are sceptical about imminent progress.
‘‘The ONLY way to fix Lake Road is 2 have 2 roads that go ALL the way to Devonport,’’ Bayswater resident Dennis Manson wrote on social network site Neighbourly.
‘‘Get rid of the bike lanes during peak times and make them T2 & bus lanes,’’ Belmont resident Rebecca Essex wrote.
‘‘Shops providing off-street parking would make a huge difference on Lake Road. In fact I think that ‘‘No Parking’’ notices along the main roads should apply at all times rather than only at peak traffic times,’’ Hauraki resident Susan Wann says.
AT says it is consulting with the local board and ‘‘wider public engagement will be undertaken when we have come up with preferred options’’.