KEY POINTS:
A notoriously dangerous traffic choke point in Takapuna is to be improved, with wider paths for vehicles, a flush median strip and cycle lanes.
North Shore City Council has approved a revised version of a $9.6 million project to upgrade Lake Rd between Esmonde Rd and Hauraki Corner.
Mayor Andrew Williams said approval for the work to start in January was on the basis that staff find economies.
"There will be fewer bells and whistles on it so some of the fancy right turns won't be part of the project," said Mr Williams.
"But we want to ensure that cyclists' safety is paramount."
He said it was "a toss up" whether the project was deferred.
Cost rises were a worry and any blowout would have to be covered by reductions in other projects in next year's $45 million works budget.
Councillors had to weigh up concerns of 1000 Takapuna residents about the effects of right-turn bans proposed for side streets against better traffic flow benefits to 22,000 Devonport Peninsula residents.
However, the road's poor surface meant $430,000 had to be spent on resealing, and delaying the project by a year could raise its cost between $1 million and $3 million and lose a NZ Transport Agency subsidy.
Mr Williams said the proposed ban on a right turn out of Ewen St would not go ahead.
Turning restrictions would not be so severe, he said.
However, right-turn bans will apply into and out of Rewiti Ave and Napier Ave and for right turns out of Hart Rd.
The bans are supposed to prevent crashes caused by right-turning vehicles.
Community Board member Fay Freeman said it was a "positive outcome" after a lot of canvassing of residents' views.
The road carries more than 39,000 vehicles a day.
