A traffic signal and sensors will be installed at the Halswell Junction/Springs Road roundabout, helping to tackle congestion and improve safety. The project is designed to reduce delays for people and public transport users travelling on Springs Road into Christchurch by several minutes.
This project will reduce delays for people travelling on Springs Road into Christchurch by several minutes.
People travelling on Springs Road from Lincoln, Prebbleton, Rolleston and surrounding areas are experiencing significant delays at the roundabout during the morning peak (from 6am- 10am).
During this period, it can take more than 12 minutes for people to travel along Springs Road and enter the roundabout because of the constant flow of traffic travelling northwest along Halswell Junction Road.
There are often long lines of traffic on Springs Road, backed up for 2kms while people wait for a safe gap to enter the roundabout.
This project will reduce delays for people and public transport users travelling on Springs Road into Christchurch by several minutes.
The traffic signal will be installed 80 meters before the roundabout on the Halswell side of Halswell Junction Road. Two sensors will also be installed - one about 200 metres before the new traffic signals, and another on Springs Road about 50 metres before the roundabout.
The traffic signal will only be used to manage traffic during the morning peak. The two sensors will ensure traffic is not stopped unnecessarily.
Work is underway and following testing, the traffic signal is expected to be operational by the end of September 2017.
Give way rules will still apply at the roundabout, even if drivers get the green light.
The green light gives drivers permission to approach the roundabout but they will still need to give way to oncoming traffic at the roundabout.
A traffic signal and two sensors will be installed at the Halswell Junction Road/Springs Road roundabout to help reduce congestion during the morning peak.
The NZ Transport Agency project is designed to reduce delays for people travelling on Springs Road by several minutes, without significantly increasing journey times for people travelling northwest on Halswell Junction Road.
Work to install the project started in August 2017 and the traffic light is expected to be operational by the end of September 2017.
ClosePeople travelling on Springs Road from the Lincoln/Prebbleton/Rolleston area are currently experiencing significant delays at the roundabout during the morning peak.
During this period it can take more than 12 minutes for each vehicle to travel along Springs Road and enter the roundabout because of the constant flow of traffic travelling northwest along Halswell Junction Road.
The 80 bus route from Lincoln and Prebbleton is caught in the congestion at the roundabout and the delay affects this service by resulting in unpredictable travel times.
Meanwhile, there are often long lines of traffic on Springs Road, backed up for more than 2kms while people wait for a gap. This is frustrating for travellers but also dangerous as motorists sometimes take risks and pull out into the roundabout when it is not safe to do so.
CloseThe traffic signals will be installed 80 meters back from the roundabout on the Halswell side of Halswell Junction Road.
Two sensors will be installed, one 200 metres before the traffic light, and another on Springs Road, 50 metres back from the roundabout stop line.
Each sensor will pick up how long the respective queue is. If there is no queue on Springs Road or a lengthy queue on Halswell Junction Road, the traffic light will not be triggered and vehicles can continue through the roundabout.
If traffic backs up past the sensor on Springs Road it will trigger the red light, stopping traffic on Halswell Junction Road for 10-15 seconds to give Springs Road travellers a chance to enter the roundabout.
If Halswell Junction Road traffic is backed up past the sensor the light will stay green until this queue reduces.
The sensors will ensure traffic is not stopped unnecessarily. The light will only turn red during the morning peak (about 6am until 10am).
CloseThis change is expected to reduce delays for people travelling on Springs Road by several minutes.
Along with improved traffic flow, the project is also expected to improve safety for Springs Road motorists who currently have to try to get onto the roundabout in between a constant flow of traffic.
CloseThe two sensors will ensure traffic is not stopped unnecessarily. The majority of people travelling on Halswell Junction Road will not get a red light. Those that do will only be stopped for 10 to 15 seconds.
While it will not significantly delay Halswell Junction Road traffic, the change will make a big difference for Springs Road motorists, shaving several minutes off their morning commute.
CloseYes. Give way rules will still apply at the roundabout, even if cars have got a green light. The green light will give drivers permission to approach the roundabout but they will still need to obey the road rules and give way to oncoming traffic once they are at the roundabout.
CloseApproximately $150,000.
CloseWork to install the project is not expected to significantly impact traffic with much of the work to be carried out overnight. Traffic updates will be sent out ahead of any work that could create delays.
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