Road change as city to be pedestrian friendly

Changes planned for part of Taupo Quay will mean the turning lane on to the City Bridge (right) will disappear. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO

A major change is coming to one of Wanganui's main inner city routes, aimed at taking heavy traffic away from the area.

The pedestrian-friendly changes affect a section of Taupo Quay, from Victoria Ave to Market Place, and are in line with the Wanganui District Council urban transport strategy.

The most obvious change is a narrowing of traffic flows in and out of Taupo Quay from the Avenue.

It means the current left-hand turning lane on Taupo Quay onto the City Bridge will disappear and be replaced by an extended kerb.

Outlining the changes, infrastructure manager Mark Hughes said heavy traffic would be directed to use alternative routes.

Trucks from Aramoho should use Glasgow St, while Dublin St traffic should use St Hill St and/or Guyton St.

Mr Hughes said transport operators were involved in the urban transport strategy and were aware of what the council was planning.

"The Road Transport Association and its local representatives will be advised of temporary traffic restrictions throughout the site during construction - and in the new year, a detour will be required as we install a raised platform at the Taupo Quay/Drews Ave intersection," he said.

Work started yesterday and, with a break during the Christmas period, is due to be finished at the end of March.

The project has a budget of $750,000, with just under half that money coming from the New Zealand Transport Agency and the remainder from existing council budgets.

Mr Hughes said contracts were already in place, with the first stage being between Drews Ave and the temporary premises of the Sarjeant Gallery building (38 Taupo Quay). Work will then move down both sides of Taupo Quay and into Drews Ave and Market Place.

He said it was also a chance to upgrade a number of underground utilities, including stormwater drains and water and electricity mains. Powerco will pay for trenching along Taupo Quay and Market Place.

"We will also replace kerbs, create 40 additional car parks in the area and improve pedestrian safety by installing a raised platform at the Taupo Quay/Drews Ave intersection to slow traffic. It's similar to the one in Watt St, between the War Memorial Centre and Majestic Square."

Minor improvements and tree-scaping will also be undertaken. A number of designated mobility parking zones are included in the new carpark plan.

Councillor Rob Vinsen said he had concerns that not enough provision had been made for pedestrian crossings along what was a busy section of inner city road, especially when the weekend riverside markets were happening.

He said he would rather put in the crossings in the first stage than doing that work later and adding more cost. But Mr Hughes said fitting extra crossings could be done at very little cost if they were needed.

Council staff have visited businesses in the area of Taupo Quay to explain what would be happening.