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Wellsford could be a step closer to getting to new pedestrian crossings at the southern end of town, if funding is approved by Waka Kotahi NZTA.
Residents and Rodney Local Board members have been advocating for a safer way to cross both State Highway 1 and 16, to the south of Harrison Street and Worker Road, for several years, but with little success so far.
However, a local board workshop heard last month that the national transport agency was now on board with the project and looking at several site options for a crossing on each highway.
Waka Kotahi communication and engagement advisor Chibinda Mwaijumba said there were several options at this stage, nothing was set in stone and community and local board feedback was being sought.
He said it was quite a challenge to fit in crossings in the area without affecting the many parking places or driveways, such as around the Caltex petrol station, but showed five potential site options to members.
These comprised two possible spots between Caltex and the public toilets, or one near the police station, on SH1, and one either near the library, or between PGG Wrightson and Caltex, on SH16.
As for the type of crossings, Mwaijumba said they could be anything from a fully signalised zebra crossing to median refuges or kerb extensions, but were unlikely to incorporate raised platforms, or speed bump, due to a “pause” on their construction by government.
Members debated the pros and cons of a range of crossing types and sites, but agreed that a proper zebra crossing for SH1 was the priority, possibly even with a refuge in the middle, and that median refuges may suffice for SH16.
Mwaijumba said his team would investigate points and options raised at the workshop before submitting a funding request for the project in the next National Land Transport Programme period.
“If it gets funding, we can proceed with design and construction in the next three year period, which is June 2024 to 2027,” he said.
Any proposal adopted as part of the transport plan would go out for public consultation, he added.
Wellsford member Colin Smith, who was away for the workshop, said at a board meeting this month that most people would prefer an SH1 crossing near the police station, since it would connect the Memorial Park with the toilets, and also with the new footpath on the eastern side of Rodney Street going down to Centennial Park Road.
