Thorndon Quay changes

We are proposing bus lanes in both directions because it improves bus travel times and reliability during peak hours, encouraging more people to take the bus.

During the morning peak traffic hours, there will be a dedicated bus lane into the city. This means buses will be able to bypass any morning peak traffic congestion, improving bus reliability and reducing travel time. In the afternoon peak traffic hours, there will be a dedicated bus lane out of the city.

• At all other times of the day, buses will be in the same lane as general traffic.
• Priority will be given to buses at Mulgrave Street to improve journey times.
• Some bus stop locations will be adjusted to better balance local walking access and travel time for people on the bus.
• The street environment will be improved to make it more pleasant when you are waiting for a bus.
• Pedestrian crossings will be improved to make it safer to get to and from bus stops.

We are proposing a two-way cycle path on one side of Thorndon Quay because it will extend the existing two-way bike path on Hutt Road through to the central city, allow passing space for people riding at different speeds, avoid the intersections on the other side of the street and the bus interchange at Mulgrave Street. In late 2021 the angle parking will be converted to parallel parking to make an immediate safety improvement for people on bikes.

• The cycle path will be as wide as the space allows but we expect this will be at least 3.5m wide.
• The cycle path will be separated from the footpath, to provide dedicated space.
• The design of the cycle path will make vehicle crossing points as safe as possible.
• Cycle crossings will be included at pedestrian crossings.
  The street environment will be improved to make cycling journeys more pleasant.

• There will be footpaths on both sides of the street and we expect these will be at least 2m wide.
• The footpath will be separated from the cycle path to provide dedicated space.
  The street environment will be improved with planting, seats, lights, and different surfaces.
• Pedestrian crossings will be improved, including new crossings, making it safer and easier to cross the street.

• There will be two traffic lanes, one in each direction at all times.
• We expect that lane widths will be at least as wide as they are now.
• The intersections at Mulgrave Street and Tinakori Road will be improved.
• There will be an initial change to parking in late 2021 when the angle parking between Tinakori Road and Moore Street will be converted to parallel parking.
• In the final plan, we expect there to be 100 to 130 on-street parking spaces available when the bus lanes are operating, and 220 to 240 on-street spaces available when the bus lanes aren’t operating. This is more than the current peak demand for parking spaces.