Ash Street and Rata Street safety improvements Ash Street and Rata Street safety improvements
Ash Street, Avondale construction from 10 April 2023
We’re installing safety improvements in your neighbourhood as follows:
Titirangi road, Great North Road and Rata Street safety upgrade:
- New wide flat speed humps (speed tables) as you approach the intersection: alerts drivers to slow down on approach, ensures visibility for those crossing and is smooth for large vehicles like buses or trucks.
Ash Street near Tait Park
- New traffic light-controlled crossing near Tait Park on Ash Street: manages traffic on a busy road and gives priority to people crossing, as cars have to stop at the lights to allow them to cross safely
- New wide flat speed hump level with the footpath (speed table): alerts drivers to slow down on approach, ensures visibility for those crossing and is smooth for large vehicles like buses or trucks
Intersection of Rosebank Road and Ash Street
- New wide flat speed humps level with the footpath (speed tables): alerts drivers to slow down on approach, ensures visibility for those crossing and is smooth for large vehicles like buses or trucks
- New traffic island: gives people on foot a safe place to stand and helps separate traffic going in opposite directions
Intersection of Wairau Avenue and Ash Street
- New traffic lights: gives priority to those crossing and makes it safer for traffic turning right into Ash Street. The crossing at #53 Ash Street will be removed
- New wide flat speed humps (speed tables) as you approach the intersection: alerts drivers to slow down on approach, ensures visibility for those crossing and is smooth for large vehicles like buses or trucks
- New traffic separator (splitter) island: will separate traffic entering or exiting on opposite sides of the road when turning.
- Footpath maintenance: to ensure its safe for people on foot, on wheels or scooters
Reminders while we complete our mahi / work:
- Large machinery will cause noise and wet weather can cause delays, but we’ll keep you updated. We’ll try to work at night to cause the least disruption
- Please reduce your speed and follow signs, light signals and traffic directions during detours set by our Traffic controllers
- Some roads will need to closed at times, plan ahead using alternative routes.
- On-street parking will be limited while we carry out work, so please park on another side street out of the work zone area.
We appreciate your patience during this time.
Project overview
Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) have identified the corridor consisting of Rata Street and Ash Street as high-risk corridors and eligible for safety improvements as part of the Safe Network Programme.
The project will cover Rata Street and Ash Street between the Great North Road / Titirangi> Road / Rata Street intersection and the Ash Street / Rosebank Road intersection which is about 2.3km in length.
Rata Street currently carries approximately 17,950 vehicles northbound and 18,800 vehicles southbound per day with a heavy vehicle consisting of 6%.
Ash Street currently carries approximately 17,800 vehicles northbound and 17,100 vehicles southbound per day with a heavy vehicle consisting of 6%.
Tragically, between 2014 and 2018 there were 3 fatal and 11 serious injury crashes along this corridor. A further 46 people were injured in the 213 crashes that occurred.
Within the next 5 years, there's going to be significant growth in the area with over 1000 new houses expected to be built before 2026 in the Avondale area alone. Expected population growth in Avondale and surrounding suburbs will place additional pressure on roads and traffic congestion.
Project update - August 2022
Since consultation concluded, there have been some minor refinements to the planned designs for Ash Street and Rata Street.
Ash Street and Rata Street are indicatively prioritised in the recently published Cycling and Micromobility programme business case for a cycleway in the next 10 years. A more detailed investigation on the corridor will commence in due course.
It is important to note that the road safety risk on this corridor has been assessed as urgent. Initial investigations have shown that there is no simple solution to deliver all or part of a cycleway on this corridor. Therefore, there will only be minor refinements at this stage.
In the short term, delaying safety improvements to allow time to perform a full investigation and design for cycling is not considered appropriate. The current funding for the works is explicitly for road safety improvements. This process of identifying minor refinements is likely to be completed by the end of August, with construction commencing by the end of November 2022.
The updated design plans will be available once the investigations have concluded.
More information
This proposal is supported with funding from the Auckland regional fuel tax.
Project area
This project covers the length of Ash Street and Rata Street.
Timeline
- Mid-October 2021 – Consultation opens
- Mid-November 2021 – Consultation closes
- Early 2022 – Feedback report released
- Late 2022 Early 2023 – Start construction
2021 Public Consultation
From 18 October to 14 November 2021, we consulted on the proposed pedestrian safety measures along Ash Street and Rata Street. We received 141 responses.
Based on the feedback we received, we are proceeding with the following safety changes to Ash Street and Rata Street, subject to funding
Proposed changes:
- Installing a new signalised crossing on Ash Street next to Highbury Street and a raised table in the eastbound lanes
- Installing raised safety tables at the intersection of Ash Street and Rosebank Road
- Removing the existing signalised crossing at 53 Ash Street (a new crossing will be provided at Wairau Avenue intersection)
- Signalising the intersection of Ash Street and Wairau Avenue and adding a raised table
- Installing raised safety tables at the intersection of Rata Street and Great North Road
- Installing electronic driver feedback signs along Ash Street and Rata Street
- Changing road markings on the Whau River over bridge
- Upgrading street lighting at locations where changes are made.
We are now working with Waka Kotahi to secure funding for these changes. Subject to funding, we hope to start work in mid-2022, but this is dependent on further changes to the COVID-19 Traffic Light System.
Download the 2021 Public Feedback Report for Ash Street and Rata Street (PDF 1.4MB)
2020 Public Consultation
In 2020, AT asked the community to tell us about their experiences of walking, riding a bike or driving along Ash Street and Rata Street. We also asked what parts of Ash Street and Rata Street you would like us to improve. In total 197 submissions were received.
Download the 2020 Public Feedback Report for Ash Street and Rata Street (PDF 6.4MB)