Improving Porirua’s roads & footpaths

Find out more about this project to improve traffic flows, and pedestrian and cycle safety, along Kenepuru Drive and surrounding streets, plus read the latest updates on our dedicated Kenepuru Corridor webpage

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has set all Council's the goal of improving safety around schools.

In Porirua, the first step in that process is making physical safety improvements, such as raised pedestrian crossings and better signage.

We have 35 schools in Porirua and have written to all to make them aware of the School Safety Programme and to start the conversation around what improvements they would like to see.

The schools have been prioritised based on the safety risks affecting them, and our intention is to work with the top 40% (14) high priority schools to improve safety by 30 June 2024.

So far we have undertaken a pilot trial programme with our two top priority schools. Consultation is complete and physical works are still to be carried out - due to a number of issues outside of our control.

In mid-June 2022, we started consulting with four of our next high priority schools around proposed safety improvements, which we are aiming to deliver between November 2022 to April 2023.

Our aim with this programme is to slow traffic and improve safe access to the schools for all school users.

It will be complemented by a review of speed limits around Porirua schools, with 40 per cent to be delivered by 2024. See section 5.1 of the Government's Land Transport Rule: Setting of speed limits 2022.

Want to know more? Email our road safety team

Pukerua Bay shared pathway - Stage Two improvements planned

Work to continue improving the shared pathway intersection connections through Pukerua Bay has started (November 2022).

This work is Stage Two of a project that began last year.

The first part of this project will involve upgrades to the intersections at Pukerua Beach Rd, Haunui Rd, and SH59.

Proposed works

• In late 2022 - improvements to the intersections of Pukerua Beach Road and SH59, and Haunui Road and Pukerua Beach Road, to make them safer for pedestrians, cyclists and turning vehicles. This work will include narrowing both intersections by building out the kerbs, new road markings, dropped kerbs and improved pathway connections to improve access for pathway users.
• In early 2023 - improvements to the intersection of Wairaka Road and SH59 to make it safer for pedestrians, cyclists and turning vehicles. This work will include narrowing the entrance to Wairaka Road by building out the kerbs, new road markings, dropped kerbs and improved pathway connections to improve access for pathway users.

Extensive traffic management will be in place for all works so residents can expect some disruptions while the works are completed.

Porirua City Council is managing the project, which is 100 percent funded by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency through its programme of highway cycle improvements.

Stage One improvements completed

Stage one of this project was completed in July 2021.

It included the following improvements:

• Widening the zig zag pathway between Haunui Road and SH1 to make it easier for cyclists, particularly on the bends. This work included tree removal, re-asphalting the pathway and introducing holdrail in places.
• Improved pathway directional signage from the lookout at the northern end of Pukerua Bay to Porirua Railway Station.
• Pedestrian improvements through the northern lookout site.

*NB: In response to resident’s requests, extensive conversations were had with Waka Kotahi about installing a barrier or similar at the bottom of the zig-zag path to stop an errant rider from landing on SH59, however the barrier needed to be able to be compliant for vehicle drivers and not just provide protection for cyclists which meant that what was suitable for protecting cyclists was not safe or acceptable for the road environment and passing traffic. We have therefore opted to remove a couple of trees at the bottom of the zig-zag and widen the path to improve sightlines between path users at this pinch point.

Upgrade of Whitford Brown Ave and Papakowhai Road intersection

The project to upgrade Whitford Brown Ave and Papakowhai Road intersection is progressing.

We have identified traffic signals as the most appropriate treatment at the concept level design stage.

In addition to the benefits for general traffic, traffic signals will provide safer and improved access for people walking and cycling, particularly for school children and people visiting Aotea Lagoon.

The design will improve the right turn movements for traffic exiting Papakowhai Road travelling west to connect to SH59.

Additionally Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has also committed to providing a shared path on the southern side of Whitford Brown Avenue connecting Okowai Road to the upgraded Papakowhai Road intersection.

A package of work for the engineering professional services was tendered earlier in the year. The work involves progressing current thinking around the intersection operation, from concept design through to detailed design for construction. One of the main issues that needs to be addressed is appropriate crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. Calibre won the tender.

Construction will be separately tendered once Calibre finish the design works. Construction is currently programmed for late 2023.

Constructing a permanent roundabout

November 2022

We're currently tendering for professional services to design and manage the construction of a permanent roundabout at James Cook Drive/Discovery Drive intersection.

This follows the successful trial of a temporary roundabout at this location, which was completed in October 2021.

The changes at this intersection were made prior to Transmission Gully (TG) opening, in consultation with local residents and the residents association in anticipation of:

• increased traffic in the area following the opening of TG, and the development growth that has occurred over the past few years
• the major traffic flow changing from Discovery Drive – James Cook Drive North to along James Cook Drive

With uncertainty as to what the new traffic volumes would actually be, a temporary roundabout was put in place to trial a design. Now that TG is open we’re able to monitor traffic flows and make any necessary adjustments to the intersection design before making it permanent.

This is required for a number of reasons:

• Permanent kerbs, including traffic islands, provide storm water drainage control that the temporary features can’t provide (and poor drainage results in ongoing pavement damage which just incurs further costs)
• Errant vehicle’s hitting temporary features changes the safe flow and necessitates ongoing repair which is significantly reduced with permanent features (e.g. plastic kerbs vs concrete kerbs)
• Meets minimum geometric design standards which is not possible with temporary features
• Urban design aesthetics (imagine a city of temporary improvements with a plethora of cones and hit-sticks)
• Will pass a Safe Systems Audit which ensures Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, who fund 52% of this project, will pay their share of current and future costs
• Will include additional safety features such as improved intersection lighting (which can only be designed after the final intersection layout is confirmed).

This image shows the temporary roundabout

Roundabout preferred option

In 2020 we ran public consultation around a number of improvement options, with the favoured option, a roundabout, being supported by the majority of those who gave feedback.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) modelling estimates that 5000 vehicles are expected to use the intersection daily once Transmission Gully opens. This is up from around 4500 vehicles currently.  Further modelling suggests that by 2031 the number of vehicles using the intersection each day could rise to 6000.

Just two non-injury crashes have been reported at or near the intersection in the past 10 years

Following the opening of Transmission Gully and the Whitby link road, traffic modelling has projected that a roundabout will operate well during the morning peak period with only minor delays during the evening peak period

Looking forward to 2031 it is projected that a roundabout will operate well during peak periods with only minor delays expected on the James Cook Drive southern approach during the evening peak period. Early cost estimates for this project were between $250,000 and $300,000

Advantages

Balances traffic flows evenly on all approaches during peak periods.

• Reduces vehicle speeds
• Safer pedestrian crossing facilities can be introduced
• Performance beyond 2031 is acceptable
• Safer for cyclists

November 2022

We’re planning to introduce a range of cost effective, road safety improvements on some of our high risk intersections to minimise the risk of death and serious injury.

These intersections have been identified by analysis of crash records, local knowledge and resident feedback.

The intention is to trial some temporary interventions such as build-outs to narrow down sections of road to slow traffic, new road markings, new improved signage, and reconfigured crossing points.

Directly affected property owners will be engaged as part of the process.

The temporary changes will be monitored and made permanent if successful and modified or removed if not.

The highest priority intersections currently being considered for this work are:

• (Western) Warspite Ave / Driver Cres
• (Southern) Warspite Ave / Corinna St
• Heriot Dr / John Seddon Dr
• Champion St / Cornwall Cres
• Titahi Bay Rd / Te Pene Ave
• Postgate Dr / Omapere St
• Prosser St / Heriot St
• Okowai Rd / Frances Brown Ave

November 2022

We’re undertaking a study of our road to road walkways to identify where staggered barriers are required in a bid to stop them being used unsafely, and illegally, as shortcuts by motorbike riders.

These barriers are intended to deter motorbikes or at least make these routes less desirable, while continuing to allow access for pedestrians, wheelchairs, and mobility scooter users. Cyclists will be able to walk a standard bike through these connections.

The highest priority locations have been brought to our attention by residents as well as other agencies such as the Police and Metlink.

We will continue to assess other walkways around the city and collate ongoing feedback to determine where barriers are required.

Some of the walkways the staggered barriers have so far been recently installed on include:

• between 11 Leicester Street and 209 Bedford Street
• between 50 Leicester street and 89 Bedford Street
• between 21 Shackle Lane and 2 Shearwater Lane.

A new cycleway connecting schools, parks and public transport on Papakowhai Rd has been selected to receive $7.2 million Government funding as part of the Transport Choices initiative.

Find out more