The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has decided to “temporarily pause” commissioning the new interim traffic lights on State Highway 22 at Drury.
A NZTA spokesperson told the Franklin Times that the decision to pause commissioning the lights at the Great South Road/SH22 intersection will include reviewing the configuration to ensure it is optimal for the forecasted increase in traffic volumes over the period it will be in service.
“While this signalisation is an interim upgrade, required ahead of future closures of the southbound on-ramp and northbound off-ramp at Drury Interchange due to construction of the SH1 Papakura to Drury project, we want to ensure it delivers the best performance, congestion and safety management over this time.”
This interim upgrade is being made ahead of the wider SH22 Drury upgrade project that will four-lane SH22 between Drury Interchange and Jesmond Road, including full signalisation of the Jesmond Road and Great South Road intersections.
“We want to take the time now to ensure we have it right for the immediate future,” the spokesperson said.
NZTA expects to provide an update on progress before the end of May.
Meanwhile, the southern access to Victoria Street is closed, with lane narrowing in place on Great South Road ahead of the Drury on-ramp. Access to the Drury sports complex is via the northern end of Victoria Street from Bremner Road.
Victoria Street is also a trucking Over-Dimension (OD) detour route. The alternative OD detour route is via Waihoehoe Road, Fitzgerald Road, Bill Stevenson Drive and Maketu Road.
Once the traffic lights are completed and Victoria Street is reopened later this year, the demolition and ultimate replacement of the Bremner Road bridge over State Highway 1 can start.
