The public are being given a chance to have their say on changes designed to improve travel times and congestion along Neilson Street in Onehunga.
The improvements which include changes to parking in the area are part of the local transport improvements of the East West Connections project and are designed to provide benefits for local road users including freight along Neilson Street.
The work involves creating four lanes (increasing from two) on Neilson Street between Alfred Street and Angle Street. A clearway and no stopping zone is proposed to be in place from 6am–7pm Monday to Friday. This doesn’t apply to parking at weekends and evenings.
Auckland Transport Principal Engineer Joe Schady says the improvements also include new walking and cycling facilities alongside Waikaraka Park.
“A new footpath and timber boardwalk linking to the existing walkway will make it easier and safer for the community to access the park particularly for sporting activities and the Speedway.”
The NZ Transport Agency’s Auckland Highway Manager, Brett Gliddon says creating extra lanes on this part of Neilson Street will help to deliver some early benefits to the Onehunga area, particularly for local business owners, truck operators and customers who are moving in and out of the Onehunga and Penrose area every day.
Community feedback will help to finalise the design for the work. Construction is planned to start later this year and be completed by December. The work is part of a wider package of improvements including removing the rail bridge at the end of Neilson Street and replacing it with a new, lowered road.
The Southwestern Motorway will also be widened to four lanes in each direction between Neilson Street and Queenstown road to further support traffic growth expected on State Highway 20.
Feedback from the public in mid-2015 showed that overall improvements on Neilson Street were supported to help relieve the significant congestion that is experienced on the road and on the approaches to SH1 and SH20.
A series of public information days will be held in August to encourage people to find out more about the project and have their say on the plans for Neilson Street.
Saturday 13 August: Onehunga Library, 85 Church Street, Onehunga (11am–2pm)
Tuesday 16 August: Onehunga Library, 85 Church Street, Onehunga (2.00pm–5.30pm)
Mark Hannan, Media Relations Manager, Auckland Transport
Mobile: 021 817 995 | Email: mark.hannan@at.govt.nz
Sarah Azam, Northland/Auckland Media Manager, NZ Transport Agency
Mobile: 021 103 9227 | Email: sarah.azam@nzta.govt.nz
