- The NZ Transport Agency has commissioned a preliminary assessment report into the Architecture Centre's Option X proposal for transport improvements around the Basin Reserve: Preliminary Assessment of Option X (PDF, 2.9 MB).
At present
- The street system around the Basin Reserve functions as a large roundabout with signals. About 25,000 vehicles enter from Kent Terrace each day, with nearly 20,000 heading towards Mt Victoria Tunnel. About 20,000 vehicles enter the system from Mt Victoria Tunnel, and 30,000 vehicles travel along Sussex Street.
- The streets in this area have several functions, including a state highway, a local road and a key public transport route. Many people walk through the area, particularly school students.
- The streets are congested and this affects SH1 traffic, local traffic and pedestrians. It also affects bus timetables, and in the longer term will affect the journey times and reliability of a high-quality public transport system (possibly light rail) between the Railway Station and Newtown.
- The parties to the Ngauranga to Airport Corridor Plan (external link) (GWRC, WCC and the NZTA) have agreed that the north-south traffic flows need to be separated from the east-west flows around the Basin Reserve.
What is proposed
As a result of our investigations into separating the north-south and east-west traffic flows, we believe that SH1 westbound traffic needs to go onto a bridge to the north of the Basin Reserve.
Taking into account the historic and recreational importance of the Basin Reserve, we’ve identified two options for the location of this bridge: one near the Basin Reserve; and one farther away from it. Based on our technical work to date we prefer the option near to the Basin Reserve, but have yet to make up our minds.
Have a look at the proposed options.
In both options:
- Westbound SH1 traffic would travel from Mt Victoria Tunnel to Buckle Street on the bridge (the speed limit would be 50 kph)
- Westbound SH1 traffic would be separated from local traffic (including buses) travelling north and south – and from a future high-quality public transport system
- Eastbound SH1 traffic would remain at street level, using the current route (or something close to it) into Mt Victoria Tunnel.
We’re also considering the option of adding a pedestrian and cycle facility to the bridge, which would cost about $8 million. Pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to use the streets under the bridge, so we have to decide whether providing this alternative facility justifies the expense.
WCC has identified the buildings on the corner of Kent Terrace and Ellice Street as an earthquake risk. We plan to demolish these buildings whichever bridge option is chosen.
Things we considered in deciding to put SH1 on a bridge
We considered building a tunnel around the Basin Reserve. However, because it had to extend between Paterson and Taranaki Streets to be viable, it would have been significantly more expensive to build than a bridge. The tunnel construction would also have been difficult given the need to build it in an old swamp.
We also considered street-level options. However, while they were cheaper than a bridge they provided fewer benefits and were not as good as a bridge in separating SH1 traffic from local traffic, particularly buses and possible light rail.
We believe the bridge will best meet the needs of future generations, particularly if they want to upgrade the Inner City Bypass.
Deciding on the bridge’s location
During the recent public engagement we asked people to tell us what they thought about our proposal for the bridge around the Basin Reserve. In particular, we wanted to know:
- What’s important to you about where we should locate the bridge around the Basin Reserve
- What you like or dislike about locating the bridge near the Basin Reserve
- What you like or dislike about locating the bridge farther away from the Basin Reserve
- Whether it’s worth the additional expense of providing pedestrian and cycle facilities on the bridge.
Here are some of the key differences between the two options:
| Option A | Option B |
|---|---|
The bridge is 20 metres away from the Basin Reserve |
The bridge is 65 metres away from the Basin Reserve |
Some parts of the bridge will be visible from within the Basin Reserve |
The bridge is less visible from within the Basin Reserve than Option A |
The historic former Home of Compassion crèche will need to be relocated |
This option is estimated to cost approximately $15 million more than Option A |
This option is more consistent with the local street layout |
The bridge will be closer to properties in Mt Victoria |
The NZTA would need to acquire land from two properties |
The NZTA would need to acquire land from five properties |
Buckle Street widening and an update on plans for the NZ Memorial Park
We've investigated several options for improving SH1 along Buckle Street in front of the War Memorial, including the idea of locating Buckle Street in a tunnel.
We’ve decided that Buckle Street will remain at street level and be widened to three lanes between Sussex Street and Taranaki Street. While a tunnel would have had some advantages, it would have been expensive to build and provided minimal transport benefits.
The land to the north of Buckle Street is being kept in the NZTA’s ownership so that we have the option upgrading the Inner City Bypass in the future. In the meantime, we’ll be responsible for landscaping the vacant land.
We’ll be working with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH) to develop a ‘memorial precinct’ to the south of Buckle Street, and ensure that SH1 improvements are fully integrated with any proposals to use this space. Previously, MCH was responsible for proposals to develop the NZ Memorial Park and Buckle Street.
MCH, WCC and the NZTA are working on landscape plans for each side of Buckle Street. These plans will take into account:
- The landscaping already completed by MCH
- The design principles already established for the NZ Memorial Park
- The land having the potential to be used for transport/roading in the future.
Depending on the final landscape plans, Buckle Street either will remain as it is or be relocated up to 10 metres north. We need to complete further work with MCH and WCC before making any final decisions.
