Roundabout work to ease congestion

Commuters frustrated by the sluggish crawl from Onerahi into Whangarei's CBD are about to get some relief. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Relief is coming for commuters along Whangarei's Riverside Drive, as the district council plans to add an extra lane to a roundabout which causes traffic to back up several kilometres during peak traffic times.

Work will begin in January to add a slip lane to the roundabout at the intersection of Dave Culham and Riverside drives, allowing Port Rd-bound traffic to turn left over Te Matau O Pohe bridge, parallel to the pre-existing "straight through" lane.

Whangarei District Council Infrastructure Committee chairman Greg Martin said the council had taken a lot of "flak" over the delays in getting the slip road started.

"So I am sure there will be relief at this news," Mr Martin said. "The original plan for the roundabout included the slip lane, but it was part of much bigger project and funding caused us to delay this part of the job to a second stage."

Contractor Transfield Services would aim to have the $354,120 project completed by April. Mr Martin said "the other piece of good news" was that delays would be minimal, with only the road shoulder needing to be closed for about a month.

The project would widen the pavement, replace part of the footpath, install a retaining wall and new guardrail.

Earlier in the year, councillors and commuters told the Advocate of the extent of frustration caused by the delays.

Onerahi resident John Hackworthy lived about 3km from the roundabout and said traffic was often backed up outside his house in the morning, while councillor Sue Glen said the 2013 installation of the roundabout added at least 10 to 15 minutes to the commute.

Congestion along Riverside Drive was an issue that was being continually worked on, Mr Martin said. A walking and cycling track running alongside the road would be developed over the next few years.

"There are also several intersections on the way to Onerahi and future plans will address the merging of traffic from side roads and widen the transport options for people coming into town," said Mr Martin.