NEWS RELEASE

12 August 2014

Bridge work signals start of unlocking the Johnsonville Triangle

Work on constructing a new railway overbridge on Broderick Road in Johnsonville gets under way this month as part of the Wellington City Council and NZ Transport Agency joint project to unlock the Johnsonville Triangle and improve traffic moving through the area.

The longer and wider bridge will help to reduce congestion at the intersection of Broderick and Moorefield roads. The intersection itself will also be widened.

Councillor Andy Foster, who chairs the Council’s Transport and Urban Development Committee, says the work on the bridge signals the start of long-awaited changes to make it easier for everyone getting into and around Johnsonville and lay the foundation for future commercial and residential growth.

“These changes, especially the wider Broderick Road bridge and at traffic lights, will create greater capacity on these roads which will be really welcome news for Johnsonville residents and businesses who have long complained about congestion around the triangle.

“We’re also making the awkward intersection at Fraser Avenue, Johnsonville Road and Corlett Street safer for all road users with new traffic lights, making bus journeys easier and walking and cycling easier and safer.”

The new bridge will accommodate cycle lanes on both sides as well as future-proofing for Wellington Regional Council’s plans for dual railway tracks into Johnsonville Station.

Transport Agency Regional Highways Manager Rod James says the new two-lane SH1 off-ramp will make a real difference to the vital link between the motorway and Johnsonville.

“The off-ramp extension is designed to stop tailbacks on the motorway by providing extra capacity via two 90m lanes that will give drivers more room to queue before the lights. This will also have a flow-on effect around the triangle, freeing up traffic movements throughout Johnsonville.

“We know the Fraser Avenue intersection creates safety concerns for drivers, and we will be making improvements at the end of the off-ramp to reduce the risk and severity of crashes.

“What makes this project such a smart investment is that it treats the transport network as a unified whole that flows together as one. This means it’s designed as a win-win for transport users of all stripes.”
Cr Foster says the wider bridge is also designed with the development of Johnsonville Mall in mind. “If and when that redevelopment occurs, there would also be further works undertaken by the developer, DNZ Property Fund Limited.” These would include further upgrades to roads around the triangle, such as improving access into the mall from Broderick and Moorefield roads by widening the road and installing traffic lights. DNZ also plans to make the car park larger and improve the streetscape around the mall.

From mid-August, contractors will start setting up their work site near the railway station, which means some of the commuter parking at the station will be unavailable.

Construction of the new bridge starts in earnest from early September and will be built in two phases over about six months. The existing bridge will continue to be used until it’s demolished over the Christmas/New Year period during a shut-down of the railway line.

There will be some noise and disruption to traffic over the next few months however we will do all we can to minimise this.

The other work planned in the $11m project is expected to start in early 2015 and includes:
• a two-lane off-ramp from SH1 and new traffic lights at the intersection of Johnsonville Road and Fraser Avenue
• upgrading the intersections of Johnsonville and Broderick roads
• new traffic lights and a signalised pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Broderick Road and Gothic Street
• improving the signalised pedestrian crossings on Johnsonville Road, and a new signalised pedestrian crossing to replace the zebra crossing on Broderick Road
• a new path for cyclists and pedestrians to by-pass the two northern roundabouts (at the intersection of Johnsonville and Moorefield roads and further north at the intersection of Ironside, Helston and Middleton roads)
• cycle stop boxes (waiting areas for cyclists) at intersections
• better bus flow around the Johnsonville Triangle (Johnsonville, Moorefield and Broderick roads), new bus stops on Johnsonville Road and upgraded bus shelters
• real-time bus travel information.
Cr Foster says there will be more opportunities throughout the project for Johnsonville residents and businesses to provide feedback. People can contact the Council about this project by emailing johnsonvilleroads@wcc.govt.nz

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