Reactions, responses, but urgent results called for flyover congestion issues

The month-old intersection that is causing widespread consternation amongst motorists, at Pakūranga Road with the new Rā Hihi (Reeves Road) flyover, pictured on its opening weekend when traffic was quieter than during subsequent peak travel times, especially during weekday evenings. Photos supplied Mark Barber / Anton Benadie

Angry reactions, then responses have been the tale of the first month of operation of te Rā Hihi flyover, and one thing’s for certain, annoyed and frustrated motorists want results and quickly, reports PJ TAYLOR.

Auckland Transport (AT) says it’s moving to solve major congestion problems created by introducing the $152 million Rā Hihi – Reeves Road Flyover – into the east Auckland roading network.

On Monday, Jane Small, AT rail and rapid transit infrastructure group manager, told the Times: “Auckland Transport is investigating a design solution to improve the efficiency of the intersection on Pakūranga Road with the new Rā Hihi (Reeves Road) flyover.

“Although journey times have improved for citybound drivers since the opening of the flyover that’s a key part of the Eastern Busway project, we know there’s frustration about delays through the new intersection in the evening peak for traffic heading towards Howick on Pakūranga Road.

“With tens of thousands of vehicles a day using roads in the area a major change like this can have impacts on the wider roading network,” says Small.

AT estimates about 30,000 vehicle trips have been taken on the flyover daily since it opened in both directions on October 18.

“Before deciding on a design solution, it will be assessed for cost, trade-offs and alignment with the current Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS) to increase the optimisation of the intersection in balance with all road users – whether driving, taking the bus, walking, or cycling.

“In addition to investigating a design solution, AT and our Eastern Busway partners have also taken a number of other actions.”

Small says they include:

Adjusting traffic lights to optimise vehicle flow and monitoring traffic.
Putting construction work at the intersection on hold, with only essential activities being completed.
Continuing Pakūranga Road and Brampton Court intersection upgrades but pausing the installation of traffic lights and a signalised pedestrian crossing.
Assessing potential removal of a Pakūranga Road pedestrian crossing.
Improving signage for vehicles.

“We have also met with [Pakūranga] MP Simeon Brown, [Howick] councillors and local board members to hear the concerns people are sharing with them,” Small says.

AT estimates about 30,000 vehicle trips have been taken on the flyover daily since it opened in both directions on October 18.

“AT and the Eastern Busway team are continuing to update them on the actions underway.

“We’re aware of recent incidents that have occurred in the vicinity following the opening of the new intersection.

“Our assessment indicates these incidents are attributed to driver behaviour, either as drivers adapt to the new layout or as a result of unsafe manoeuvres.

“Safety will be a key consideration when improving the efficiency of the intersection.

“In the meantime, we have placed additional signage on Pakūranga Road to provide more guidance to drivers as they approach the intersection,” Small says.

A Times’ reader who commutes daily from Howick to Panmure for work said on Tuesday night the journey home took an hour; 45 minutes from Panmure township to get to the intersection of the flyover with Pakūranga Road, and 15 minutes from there to Howick. The whole homeward journey previously took 20 minutes.

An AT statement on its Facebook social page on Monday says: “While integration of new major infrastructure will take several weeks to settle into new patterns as user behaviours change, we acknowledge there are delays from Panmure in the afternoon peak through the new intersection on Pakūranga Road, which is frustrating for drivers.

“We want to provide reassurance that we’re committed to investigating a solution to improve the efficiency of the intersection and that we understand the importance of this route to road users.”

A response to an AT Facebook post on November 10 reads: “The lane markings need to be fixed too. Especially when they have been painted over and in the sun/night they reflect so people have no idea where the lane they are in actually goes!”

Some of the hundreds of public responses to AT’s Facebook post of November 10:

“The eastbound left-hand ‘straight through’ lane has to be accessible for all traffic so that people can access Saint Kentigern College, Acmena Lane, and more especially, Glenmore Road, which is quickly becoming a major arterial. Those also living in residences in that section of Pakūranga Road between St Kents and Glenmore Rd should have unimpeded access to their properties. Convert the footpath to a shared cycle way if you must cater for a very small minority!”
“This is not an outcome. It’s a super simple fix. You need to: Remove right turning traffic from Panmure. They can just turn right at the lights prior like they used to [at Ti Rakau Drive intersection]. Remove the bus or cycle lane that’s being built and allow one lane straight through from Panmure to Howick on Pakūranga Road. Phase lights better at both that set and at St Kents. With this Howick to Sylvia Park traffic can flow without interruption.”
“The lane markings need to be fixed too. Especially when they have been painted over and in the sun/night they reflect so people have no idea where the lane they are in actually goes!”
“This is a patchwork solution. Timing at the lights will not reduce the problem. The fact that they don’t want to reconsider straight through lanes speaks of stubborn attitude and ‘don’t care’ attitude to public convenience. Not surprised at all. A problem created with the island, when none existed. And there was no need for that problem to be generated.”

A Times’ reader who commutes daily from Howick to Panmure for work said on Tuesday night the journey home took an hour; 45 minutes from Panmure township to get to the intersection of the flyover with Pakūranga Road, and 15 minutes from there to Howick. The whole homeward journey previously took 20 minutes. Photo supplied

“How about traffic coming from Panmure has a lane that allows them to continue instead of stopping at lights? And left turn only lane that goes onto the flyover that isn’t controlled by lights. Or even a flyover for traffic from the motorway or a flyover that goes straight over the intersection to keep flow of traffic.”
“As an east Auckland resident, it’s frustrating to see a project that cost taxpayers millions of dollars turn into a daily bottleneck instead of improving travel times. Before the construction, the traffic from Panmure to the eastern suburbs was manageable. Now it takes nearly an hour during rush hour. This intersection was meant to enhance efficiency and support economic growth, not slow the entire city down. It feels like the design priorities have leaned too heavily toward idealistic ‘cycling-first’ concepts and bureaucratic planning, rather than practical traffic flow solutions. If the current AT and Eastern Busway teams cannot resolve this promptly, then it’s time to bring in engineers and planners who can. Taxpayers deserve results, not excuses.”
“At this point it was better without the flyover.”
“Thanks for the update. It’s great that you are addressing the concerns raised.”

After the Times published a story ‘AT responds to outrage of motorists’ on October 30 that drew a very large readership and hundreds of public comments, Pakūranga MP Simeon Brown, who is also the Minister for Auckland, wrote to Dean Kimpton, chief executive of AT, on November 4.

Brown wrote to express his ‘serious concerns about the operation of the new intersection of the Reeves Road Flyover and Pakūranga Road, and to request urgent changes to improve safety and alleviate the significant congestion that I believe is being caused by poor design’.

‘Since opening only two weeks ago, I have been made aware of a significant number of serious accidents that have taken place at this intersection.

‘I believe this warrants an urgent investigation to ensure this intersection is operating safely,’ Brown wrote.

‘I am also incredibly concerned about the significant congestion which has been caused for motorists travelling through this intersection in the evening.

‘It has become clear that changes will need to be made to improve traffic flow and allow local drivers to realise the full benefit of the flyover.’

Eastern Busway construction works in and around the flyover and Pakuranga town centre are ongoing.

The AT Facebook social media post statement on November 10 continued: “The philosophy adopted for guiding the design of the Eastern Busway in 2020 was based on the principles of Movement and Place which was underpinned by the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS) of that time.

“These principles balance the need for transport networks to move people and goods with the role of streets and corridors as places for social and economic activity; and this approach is widely acknowledged by industry as good practice,” AT said.

“The design, particularly around the Pakūranga Road side of Pakūranga Town Centre and Rā Hihi – flyover reflect the movement (Rā Hihi) and place (Pakūranga Road) principles working together to support these two functions of the transport network.

“While the intersection built reflects this design philosophy, we’re currently analysing the modelling data used to develop the design against current status.

“We’re also in the process of developing a concept design which will provide more vehicular throughput towards Howick via an additional lane and/or easing the left turn.

“We’re undertaking this review process in line with the current GPS to increase the optimisation of the intersection in balance with all road users – whether driving, taking the bus, walking, or cycling.

“Once we have a better understanding of the scope of change required (i.e. potential Resource Management Act consent condition changes and physical works requirements) we will share the delivery time frame with you,” said AT.