SH1-SH88 Dunedin safety improvements

About the project

Snapshot of the key proposed changes

Interactive map

Key proposed improvements

• SH1 from Stuart to Hanover Streets

  Mid-block signalised pedestrian crossings are planned on SH1 at the New World and Woolworths supermarkets. These provide a safe way to cross this busy road to the hospital’s mid-block entrances. Without these, people could put themselves in danger by crossing SH1 mid-block.  

  • These new crossings will be synchronized with the ‘green wave’ traffic flow signal system that keeps traffic moving efficiently on SH1 through central Dunedin. They will be similar to the one that has been successfully operating on SH1 outside the Toitu Museum for the last five years.
  • Some car park and bus stop changes are needed to make space for these mid-block crossings.
  • We also want to create longer parking spaces, so people can drive straight in, reducing the need to reverse into parallel parks against heavy traffic flows. This would improve traffic efficiency and people’s safety.  
  • We are keeping the north bound leg of the SH1 separated cycle lane, so people can continue biking through this area safely. 
  • These changes result in a net loss of eight car parking spaces and three bus stops.

  

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• St Andrew Street

  A Barnes Dance Crossing (where all pedestrians cross together) is planned on the SH1 Cumberland and St Andrew St intersection. This will give much safer and easier access to the NDH public entrances.  To make time and space for the crossing to run safely, we are proposing to stop right turns from St Andrew Street onto SH1 for westbound traffic.  

  • Other options to keep this right turn were considered, but in the end removing it was the only practical way to give pedestrians enough time to cross safely at the Barnes Dance and still give people driving coordinated green signal time as they move along the State Highway network, to keep traffic flowing.  If this change goes ahead there are still plenty of nearby routes to get onto SH1 and to the Western part of the central city.

  

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  With the potential removal of the right turn from St Andrew Street onto SH1 north, Hanover and Frederick Streets are expected to become key alternative routes for light vehicles. We expect larger trucks to use Ward Street and the overbridge onto Frederick Street as an alternative route. Our traffic modelling shows these nearby roads can handle the small increase in traffic created by this change and travel times are only increased by a few seconds.

  Changes in traffic volumes: 

  • Frederick Street currently has 1,100 vehicles per hour at peak times. About 80 extra vehicles are expected per hour (or just over 1 per minute) 
  • Hanover Street currently has 500 vehicles per hour at peak times. About 60 extra vehicles are expected per hour (or around 1 per minute) 
  • Ward Street currently has 550 vehicles per hour at peak times. About 40-50 articulated trucks currently turn right at St Andrew Street between 7am and 7pm (an average of 4 vehicles per hour), which would be expected to divert to the Ward Street route.

  To minimise disruption and keep traffic flowing smoothly:

  • All alternative routes offer good connections to SH1 north, and we expect travel times to remain about the same, depending on the time of day and where people are driving to. Trips in peak traffic are likely to be a slightly longer on the Hanover, Frederick or Ward Street routes compared to the St Andrew Street route.
    • We have planned minor improvements to the alternative routes – see key changes below.
    • Clear signage on key approaches like Ward Street to give drivers plenty of advance notice and guide them to the best alternative routes.
    • Traffic signals on these alternative routes will be regularly monitored and adjusted to improve flow where needed.

  To keep traffic flowing smoothly, we are also proposing to make Frederick Street into the new SH88. Moving right turning traffic from St Andrew Street to Frederick Street will encourage heavy freight vehicles away from the hospital. This and the other initiatives will encourage heavy freight vehicles to use the Harbour Arterial/Ward Street bridge route, and light traffic to use Anzac Avenue, as these routes will be better suited to their journey. This will in turn help create a quieter, safer environment around the NDH. 

  We understand any change to familiar driving routes may cause some initial confusion. However, it usually doesn’t take long for people to adjust and form new habits, especially with clear signage and guidance in place.

  

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  Note this and other the turning changes in this proposal will require amendment of the NZ Transport Agency (Traffic Controls on State Highways) Bylaw 2017 under s22AB of the Land Transport Act 1998.

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• Other changes on St Andrew Street

  At the Leith Street/St Andrew intersection, we are planning to allow only left turns in and out (except for emergency vehicles). This will stop risky right turns across two busy lanes of traffic.  

  We are making some parking changes on the north side of St Andrew Street near the Dunedin Central Fire Station. This will allow for traffic lane improvements, for better vehicle flow and more road space for drivers to pull over into the road shoulder for the many emergency service vehicles using this east-west city link. This change would see the loss of 14 parks, although this would be partially offset by new parks in nearby Harrow Street.

  

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  DCC are investigating opening the Ward Street entrance into the St Andrew Street carpark, so it is easier to access for people wanting to park and are also reviewing zoning and pricing of car parks in the central city.

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• Anzac Avenue rail crossing intersection
  • We are planning improvements at the St Andrew Street/Anzac Avenue rail crossing to help traffic flow better, especially for drivers turning right onto Anzac Avenue from St Andrew Street.  This includes providing more green signal time. 
  • Kerb buildouts added at the St Andrew Street/Anzac Avenue intersection will make it easier and safer for people to cross the road.
  • These improvements will make it safer for people to walk to the large St Andrew Street carpark adjacent to the railway. Because of its location it is expected to be a popular parking choice for those travelling to the NDH and nearby central city.

  

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• Harrow Street

  Changes to St Andrew Street may lead to more drivers using Harrow Street as a shortcut to Hanover Street, which could raise safety concerns.

  • Our plan will simplify the road layout making it safer and easier to use for both drivers and pedestrians.  
  • The changes will free up space for 7 new angle parks overall.

  

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• Frederick Street
  • Frederick Street will continue to serve as a key freight route and shifting SH88 here is expected to have minimal impact, while offering better connections to SH1 north and south.
  • The right turn lane into SH1 north will be extended to improve traffic flow and reduce delays.
  • A pedestrian refuge will be installed near Leith Street to make walking and biking safer, without slowing traffic.
  • Left in, left out access will be introduced at Leith Street to improve safety and reduce turning conflicts. 
  • Kerbs will be built out and intersection limit lines moved forward at side streets to improve visibility and make it easier for drivers to enter Frederick Street.
  • Parking will be rearranged to fit the new road layout, with as many spaces retained as practical (between 13 and 16 parks will need to be removed to support all these changes.) Most of the parks removed are in the block between the SH1 one-way pair to improve traffic efficiency.
  • If SH88 is officially moved to Frederick Street, NZTA will manage this route, while DCC will manage St Andrew Street and Anzac Avenue. We will work together to get the best outcome for the city.

  Leith Street/Frederick Street intersection

  

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