City’s gridlock getting worse
Wellington’s traffic congestion is getting worse and the morning rush period is becoming longer as commuters try to beat the gridlock.
New figures show traffic heading south into Wellington between 5am and 7am on weekdays has risen by 50 per cent over the past six years, with early-bird commuters putting further stress on an already under-pressure state highway network.
The result is those trying to beat the rush – which traditionally starts about 6.30am and peaks between 7am and 9am – are extending the peak period and making the commutes for those behind them even worse.
Unsurprisingly, the increased congestion means travel times for those coming into the CBD from north of the city are becoming less predictable – and are expected to get even worse.
The findings come from a Greater Wellington Regional Council report that assessed the region’s traffic volumes and congestion between 2012 and 2018.
‘‘There is evidence that the peak period congestion is spreading, with people changing their behaviour and travelling earlier to avoid congestion,’’ the report said.
‘‘On the inner city motorway, congestion starts to form around 6.30am with a significant drop in travel speed by 7am, and does not fully dissipate until past 10am.’’
While the number of vehicles recorded entering Wellington’s CBD between 7am and 9am had decreased, that was likely because traffic was moving slower, rather than reduced congestion.
If the trend continued, highway congestion would increase even further, more people would travel earlier and congestion problems would start earlier and finish later, the report said.
The growing congestion problem was also apparent on Ruahine St between the Mt Victoria tunnel and Wellington Rd, where twoway traffic prior to 7am increased by 30 per cent between 2011 and 2016. Those travelling between the CBD and Miramar have also been warned they will feel the pinch if Wellington Airport passenger numbers grow as forecast.
Data from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) shows average travel times on six ‘‘strategic routes’’ across the Wellington region increased by 8 per cent in both the morning and afternoon peaks over the past four years – a time period that saw the opening of the $630 million Kapiti Expressway and Wellington’s smart motorway.
The findings come as the Let’s Get Wellington Moving project team prepares to release its final proposal for solving traffic congestion between the airport and Ngauranga Gorge in June.
The team is a joint initiative between the regional council, NZTA and Wellington City Council, born after plans for a Basin Reserve flyover fell over in 2014.
A shortlist of proposals released in November revealed a number of solutions were being considered, including a fourth southbound lane on the urban motorway between Ngauranga and Aotea Quay, widening Ruahine St and duplicating the Mt Victoria and Terrace tunnels.
Project director Barry Mein said the findings in the Greater Wellington report were not surprising, and were part of what his team was working to rectify.
‘‘The information in the report is consistent with what we identified earlier in our process,’’ he said.
‘‘There is increased demand for people coming into Wellington and if we don’t do anything about it, that’s going to continue to be a problem.’’