An artist rendering of what the new Carrington Rd will look like. Photo / Auckland Transport
The Government is injecting more than $110 million to improve a vital Mt Albert route, making way for 12,000 people expected to move into the area over the next decade.
The major overhaul of Carrington Rd is set to get underway in June and will take two years to complete.
Project leaders have promised to “fully engage” with local residents on potential disruptions.
The key east-west route, linking Pt Chevalier and Mt Albert, currently carries about 15,000 vehicles a day and connects residents to State Highway 16 and the Northwestern Cycleway.
Auckland Transport (AT) said the number of people using the corridor, whether by car, bike, foot or public transport, is expected to rise significantly due to the mega housing development on former Unitec land, set to house at least 12,000 people.
The $113m project will include a 1.6km widening and upgrade of Carrington Rd, major underground stormwater, gas, watermain and utility works, and a new pedestrian bridge over the rail line, near the existing traffic overbridge at the southern end of the road.
The plans include new peak-hour T2 transit lanes, physically separated cycleways on both sides of the road, upgraded footpaths and safer pedestrian crossings, with new and improved traffic lights at key intersections.
Power lines on parts of Carrington Rd will also be laid underground as part of the widening works, including sections near Gladstone Primary School.
Raised traffic tables will also be installed at side roads to slow vehicles and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Significant landscaping is also planned, with AT promising at least two new trees will be planted for every one removed during construction.
AT is leading the project in partnership with the Tāmaki Makaurau rōpū of Marutūāhu, Ngāti Whātua and Waiohua-Tāmaki, the group overseeing the Te Kukūnga Waka (Carrington Residential Development).
Funding for the project is being provided through the Government’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund, managed by the National Infrastructure Funding and Financing agency.
Enabling works costing about $700,000 have already been completed.
The bulk of the funding will go toward the Carrington Rd widening and a second-stage Mt Albert rail overbridge project.
AT has previously signalled concerns about the lack of parking in the area once the housing project is completed.
The agency is supporting appellants who are currently in mediation over a plan change submitted by developers for the Te Kukūnga Waka.
In the appeal documents, Auckland Transport warned that a lack of car parks would result in an 8km to 12km stretch of parked vehicles spilling on to surrounding streets.
AT estimated there would be a shortfall of about 1500 parking spaces if the project went ahead as proposed.
At the announcement on Friday, Auckland Minister Simon Watts acknowledged the project would cause a lot of disruption and noise for locals, and promised “clear communication” with them throughout the process.
“That’s been mitigated as much as it can, and the community have been brought along on the journey.”
Councillor Richard Hills said the project was about “getting the foundations right”.
“It upgrades roads, underground services and utilities now, so the corridor can safely support new homes, new families and a busier neighbourhood well into the future.”
Rachel Maher is an investigative reporter covering Auckland issues and education. She started at the Herald as a breaking news journalist in 2022, before joining the Auckland team this year.
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