North Harbour News

Road upgrade creates pinch point

- FELICITY REID

A year after completion, one of Auckland Transport’s biggest roading projects on the North Shore has created peak-time chaos in Albany.

The $38 million Albany Highway North upgrade opened six months ahead of schedule in October 2016 and part of the significan­t project included a widened road with T2 transit lanes.

Since the upgrade, concerns had been raised with AT regarding traffic congestion at the intersecti­on of Rothwell Ave and Albany Highway as drivers attempt to turn out of the side road and now have to cross across the new T2 lane to join the line of traffic on Albany Highway.

Commuter traffic backs up during peak-times along the highway and the feeder road.

An AT report presented to Upper Harbour Local Board this month said AT had been monitoring the T2 lanes since installati­on and have ‘‘identified potential opportunit­ies for improvemen­t’’.

The report said AT is assessing options to safely improve efficiency at the intersecti­on and investigat­ions are expected to be completed within six months.

AT is also proposing shortening the T2 lane to end at the Rothwell Ave intersecti­on, to improve traffic flow.

Any changes to the existing T2 lane, including length and hours of operation, would not be in place before 2018.

 ?? FELICITY REID ?? Albany Highway transit lane is causing congestion problems for commuters. AT is suggesting shortening the T2 lane to improve traffic flow.
FELICITY REID Albany Highway transit lane is causing congestion problems for commuters. AT is suggesting shortening the T2 lane to improve traffic flow.

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