A local politician says he is pleased a new raised pedestrian crossing project in south Auckland has been put on hold while alternatives are explored.
Auckland Transport (AT) had proposed a multi-street safety improvement project in Waiuku, which included Queen St, George St, Mellsop Ave and Kent St.
The project included installing a new raised zebra crossing on top of a flat, wide speed bump with side islands, outside 120 Queen St — costing $65,000.
Other elements of the project — including the removal of an existing zebra crossing, a new footpath next to a skatepark and playground, new traffic islands and grass berms and the installation of tactile pavers to help visually impaired people — bring the total cost of the works to $383,000.
Franklin Local Board member Gary Holmes said the overall cost of the project did not sit well with him.
The board recently put the project on hold, for further discussion with AT.
“I’m very pleased that the local board have now formally halted this project so we can hold a workshop with AT to discuss the rationale for the project, cost and alternatives,” Holmes said.
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“Auckland Transport are now claiming that the cost of the pedestrian crossing is only $65,000 and while that may be technically true, that only covers the cost of the pedestrian crossing.
“There are other costs such as traffic management and consulting fees that you need for the crossing itself and if you weren’t establishing a raised crossing, you wouldn’t incur these costs.”
AT infrastructure project delivery group manager Mark Banfield said the project was in response to safety concerns raised by the Waiuku community.
Their pedestrian surveys showed dozens of unaccompanied children walked through the area on weekdays, and public engagement in 2023 told them changes would benefit the community, he said.
“There have been some recent concerns raised by the Franklin Local Board and community members about the cost of the project, the time it will take to complete, along with our shared concerns about the disruption that the project will cause during construction,” Banfield said.
He said their project team would work through these concerns and possible solutions with the local board in a workshop, before they progress the project or start construction.
“We will also engage with the community again on any potential changes to the proposal.”
He said the construction estimate for the raised crossing was only $65,000 — a small part of the proposed project.
“The raised crossing would be a permanent piece of infrastructure, unlike a temporary rubber device that would need to be replaced within five years.”
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
