3 November 2023View this email in your browserNight work near Pak 'n SaveWork on the upgrade of the intersection of Rongotai Road, Onepu Road and Evans Bay Parade is going well. Our contractor JFC is working around the intersection in sections digging trenches and laying plastic ducting pipes so power and other service providers can then lay cables below ground.

To trench across Onepu Road near Pak 'n Save and minimise daytime disruption to traffic, some work will be carried out at night next week starting from this Sunday 5 November. Work hours will be 7pm-5am with the noisiest work being completed before 11pm.

The work is part of a major upgrade of the intersection that will take about 8 months.

When it's finished, improved alignment of traffic lanes and resurfacing will make travel through this busy junction and bus route safer and easier. It will also be a lot better for pedestrians and people on bikes. As the plans show, people will be able to safely cross all four sides of the intersection, rather than just two.

Lane closures and traffic and bus detours are required to do some work - so expect delays at times. If you use the bus hub or other stops in this vicinity, check the electronic sign boards and Metlink app and website for possible bus stop changes.

Progress at the Lyall Bay shops on Onepu Road

Thanks for your patience as our contractors make pedestrian, bike and bus improvements in Onepu Road.

To keep everyone safe with the big machinery that was required in this area, there has been lots of cones and traffic management over the last couple of weeks as new drainage sumps and kerbs were installed and concrete laid for the new bus platform.

Delays are still possible in this area at times as we work to raise and improve the crossing, but from Monday the contractor will be able to reduce the number of cones and will try to keep two traffic lanes open as much as possible. Work in this vicinity will be complete in about three weeks.

Weather permitting, the footpath will be resealed early next week. It will be done in the evening once the shops are closed. Please continue to support them. The shops, cafe and businesses are open as usual and there is pedestrian access to them at all times.

Trial changes happening near Lyall Bay School

Weather permitting, contractor JFC, Council staff, and students and families from the school will this weekend install planter boxes, seats, and add some creative touches to the new trial pedestrian area adjacent to the school entrance in Freyberg Street.

A sea-themed mural is planned in the blue area shown in the photo below, and some cool sea creatures designed by the students will also help mark three suggested walking routes.

The street changes are being trialled in this northern block to see if they make the street quieter and more pleasant for residents, and safer and easier for more children to walk, bike or scoot some of the way to school. There will be an opportunity to provide feedback during term 1 next year once people have had a chance to adjust to the changes.

It will be possible to drive in and out of this part of Freyberg Street from Queens Drive and Wha Street, and get to all driveways, but you won't be able to use this block as a through-route. Trial changes will also be in place at the intersection of Wha Street and Freyberg Street to make this intersection safer and easier to cross. Please take extra care while everyone gets used to the changes.

There's more information on our website.

More new and improved crossings taking shape

The changes happening in Kilbirnie include about 10 new or improved crossings to make it safer and easier for pedestrians and people biking and scooting.

A crossing similar to the new one in Tirangi Road (see photo below) is being built on Onepu Road. Both will improve access, convenience and safety for people using the Leonie Gill Pathway.

The contractors working on the Onepu Road one have been upgrading drainage sumps and installing ducting for future use ahead of installing the new raised crossing. Work on and around the crossing is expected to take another four weeks.

Along with safer new crossings in Coutts Street, Tirangi Road, Kemp Street, and Onepu Road, we also plan to raise and improve the existing crossing on Queens Drive near Lyall Bay School following community requests.

If you are using Queens Drive, please keep speeds down and expect to see the crossing being patrolled before and after school.

Find out more

More information about the ways we are making it safer and easier to get around Kilbirnie, Rongotai and Lyall Bay in climate-friendly ways is available on our website transportprojects.org.nz/kilbirnie

Ngā mihi City Design teamWellington City CouncilEmail kilbirnieconnections@wcc.govt.nz
Phone 04 499 4444