New improved street lighting along Lower Domain Drive

To improve safety for drivers and pedestrians in the area, new lighting has been installed along Lower Domain Drive.

The road, which winds through Auckland Domain from Domain Drive to Stanley Street, now has 32 new lantern-look lights, which are in keeping with other lighting throughout the Domain. Lover’s Lane car park, off Lower Domain Drive, is now also lit for the first time, with two lights at its entrance.

Councillor Greg McKeown, Auckland City Council's Transport Committee chairperson, expects this will come as welcome news to users of the route through the Domain. “Drivers at night will notice improved visibility of the road ahead, making it safer for them to negotiate the bends, and pedestrians should feel safer as they will be seen more readily.”

The lamps consist of a bulb sitting in the centre of a glass box which, despite their heritage appearance, have been specifically designed to give maximum visibility to drivers. Previously Lower Domain Drive was dimly lit by eight ageing lamp-posts situated at one end.

To avoid further disruption to traffic, the installation of the new lighting has been timed to coincide with network company Vector’s replacement of electricity lines with underground cables in the area. This is part of a city-wide initiative to, wherever possible, co-ordinate city improvements with Vector’s overhead lines replacement programme.

In the interests of improving visibility for drivers and pedestrians, Auckland City has contributed around $120,000 to cover the cost of buying and installing the lights. Vector has covered the remaining costs.

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