Buses want access through choke point

Bus operators are worried about disrupted services while the key corridor between Takapuna and Devonport is ripped up and replaced from May until early next year.

The notorious Lake Rd choke point carries 39,000 vehicles daily and has no alternative route or north-south running streets for buses.

The Auckland Regional Transport Authority has told North Shore City Council it will support major disruptive road works only if an appropriate traffic management scheme allows reliable bus services.

The authority said lane closure should only be undertaken between 9.30am and 2.30pm under certain circumstances to reduce disruption to services.

However, the authority says it supports the council's wish to extend its authority to do road works outside the normal 6am to 6.30pm work day on condition at least two lanes in both directions are kept open.

Extending the designated working hours has the support of many of the 1000 Takapuna residents who will be affected, said council infrastructure chairman Ken McKay.

Closing lanes outside peak travel times would allow work to be completed more quickly.

Noisy work would be done earlier in the evening and there would be a limit on the number of nights for work outside each property.

The road works are between Jutland Rd at Hauraki Corner and Esmonde Rd.

They continue on from improvements to the Esmonde Rd intersection two years ago and will give two traffic lanes in both directions.

Six residents have formally objected to the works on grounds of noise and vibration.

"The council is committed to working with these people and any other affected residents," said project engineer Stuart Meakins.

Residents would be told as soon as possible before works began outside their homes.

During the works, some side streets will be closed off Lake Rd. Lanes will be narrowed between Jutland Rd and Napier Ave, traffic speed limited to 30km/h and one lane in either direction will be closed simultaneously before 7am or after 6pm.

Work over the next few months is to install ducts for power, phone, gas and traffic signals.

Project engineers are reviewing the designers' estimates for the job which was 18 months ago revised to $9.6 million and this year is the city's biggest roading project.

The contract goes out for tender next month.