Getting traffic flowing

Over the last few weeks Auckland Transport (AT) has been consulting with the community, both residents and businesses on plans to optimise Great South Road. In particular, the section between Glenora Road (beside McDonalds and across the road from the Thoroughbred) and the Takanini Motorway Interchange.

With the opening of the City Rail Link (CRL) coming soon and the completion of the huge maintenance and upgrade project on the Southern Line, the frequency of improved passenger rail services will increase and there’s more rail growth planned in the future. When CRL opens it’s expected that the traffic wait time at a level crossing will be similar to an average intersection with traffic lights.

But there are some arterial routes that already suffer from delays, and work is underway to make improvements. While getting our rail passenger services back up and running fully is important, so is the movement of vehicles (including buses) along our local roads and important arterial routes.

The traffic jams out onto the Great South Road caused by these barrier arm closures are significant, especially when you get a freight train or a couple of trains going in opposite directions.

Furthermore, the confusion of the one lane, two lane and sometimes three lanes along Great South Road, much of which is the result of a bike lane installed in the middle of the road some years back has caused increased delays as traffic volumes have built up over the years.

Councillor Daniel Newman, myself and members of the Papakura local Board have pushed back on this cycle lane, and the traffic jams it has caused for years now. Finally, AT has listened and now that the CRL is all but open, the opportunity has arisen to remove these mostly unused cycle lanes and open this highly restricted section of main arterial road so that we can get the traffic flowing.

My thanks to those who submitted to the Have Your Say consultation on this optimisation plan. The learnings of which will be taken forward into the final design and construction.

Now for the next (VERY) big project. The rail crossings themselves. AT is now seeking community feedback for the Takaanini Level Crossings Project.

This is a major rail/road grade separation project led by AT, and supported by Auckland Council, Papakura Local Board and central government, through NZTA and KiwiRail.

Construction for several major road bridges and a shared pedestrian and cycling bridge is expected to start in 2027 and will take years to complete, but thankfully work will be staged to minimise disruption. There are many ways to have your say on this project so please submit your feedback by June 26.