The NZ Transport Agency has published the Programme Business Case [PDF, 11 MB] for the Nelson Southern Link Investigation (NSLI) and outlined the next steps for the development of a detailed business case to develop a new arterial road and progress other activities to ease congestion in the city.
Since we completed the Strategic Case for the NSLI in November 2015, we updated the transport problems, considered the benefits we want to achieve by addressing these problems, and identified specific investment objectives. These are outlined below.
Problems
- The form and function of Nelson’s two arterial corridors results in congestion and delays, and
- Substandard infrastructure on Rocks Road, which is part of the Coastal Path, is constraining growth in walking and cycling activities.
Benefits
- Reduced journey times.
- Improved safety for walking and cycling modes of travel.
- Improved tourism, active transport and recreational activities on Rocks Road.
Future investment objectives
The investment objectives will be used to help assess and determine the PBC’s recommended approach.
- Decrease peak hour travel times. Target: “Travel times on the two arterials are no worse than 2015 for the next 40 years.”
- Improve peak hour available capacity to move people and goods. Target: “The volume to available capacity ratio on the two arterials will be better than 80% for the years into the future.”
- Decrease walking and cycling crashes. Target: “Achieve a continuous decline in death and serious injury walking and cycling crashes.”
- Increase walking and cycling numbers on Rocks Road. Target: “Double current daily walking and cycling numbers within five years after implementing an option; thereafter the growth rate in walking and cycling numbers is greater than elsewhere in Nelson.”
Approaches
Three potential approaches were identified to address the problems and we presented these to the public in March and April 2016 for feedback:
- Making the most of the existing network
- Widening the existing arterial routes, or
- Creating a new arterial route (such as, a Nelson Southern Link-type route).
We also asked the community if there is another approach that should be considered.
Below is a summary of the three different approaches.
Approach A: Manage the existing network better and improve Rocks Road for walking and cycling
This approach focuses on improving the existing road network (and making the most of the current walking and cycling network), increasing bus services (public transport), and decreasing or limiting the volume of private travel during peak periods (travel demand management) by imposing restrictions without needing to widen or build new routes.
Rocks Road would be widened to provide at least a shared path on the seaward side of the existing highway and possibly remove parking. The seawall would also be significantly widened.
Benefits of the Approach
This Approach could reduce private vehicle travel during the peak periods. It also provides for current and future capacity improvements, potentially via increased public transport services.
Challenges of the Approach
To be completely effective, this approach would require parking restrictions and / or parking charges in and around the CBD to discourage peak period private vehicle travel. We would also need to consider if there was enough road width to implement the options in this approach.
Approach B: Increase capacity on the existing arterials
This approach focuses on options that would widen the existing arterial roads by at least one lane. It would also include walking and cycling, public transport, network optimisation and travel demand management activities that complement widening the arterial roads.
This approach would include low cost improvements to Rocks Road to improve walking and cycling along it.
Benefits of the Approach
This Approach is likely to address future transport growth and it provides opportunity to keep on-street parking.
Challenges of the Approach
This approach is likely to affect the local environment (natural and buildings) along, in and around the two arterials. We would also need to consider where the road would be widened and what implications this may have for access onto the existing arterials.
Approach C: Increase capacity using a new arterial route
The focus of this approach is building of a new route that connects the Annesbrook Roundabout to the Haven Road Roundabout, such as but not limited to a Southern Link-type route. It would also include walking and cycling, public transport, network optimisation and travel demand management activities that complement the establishment of a new route.
This approach would include low cost safety improvements and reduced traffic lane widths to provide extra cycling and footpath space. No seawall widening would be required.
Benefits of the Approach
This Approach is likely to address future transport growth, provides opportunity to keep on-street parking, and it could improve the environment in and around the existing arterials making it more attractive for residents and visitors.
Challenges of the Approach
This approach is likely to affect the local environment (natural and buildings) along, in and around the new route. We would also need to consider how the new route interacts and connects to existing roads and the local environment.
Rocks Road Walking and Cycling Investigation options
During the public engagement period, we provided an update on the walking and cycling options being considered for the Rocks Road Walking and Cycling Investigation Project. Key decisions on the NSLI and the Rocks Road Investigation will inform both projects, so it was important for them to be considered together.
Read the Rocks Road Walking and Cycling Investigation report.
Proposed Programme Business Case Options
The table in the Options Description Handout demonstrates the NSLI approaches and Rocks Road Walking and Cycling Options as they relate to each other. Combined, they aim to address the two identified transport problems on the arterial network and achieve our investment objectives.
The option numbers (as identified in brackets) are there for reference against the full Options Description Handout, which explains all the relevant options gathered to date for the NSLI in further detail.
Download the full Options Description Handout
Useful documents
Reference documents are available to download as you consider providing us feedback
