Cycle lane version two improved

A stretch of Portobello Rd that has been confusing motorists since the introduction of a cycle lane has been redesigned.

The Dunedin City Council is seeking feedback from affected residents, by Friday, on new plans for the road layout.

The section of road between Portsmouth Dr and Andersons Bay Rd was reduced from four vehicle lanes to two, to accommodate a separated cycle lane that makes up part of the new South Dunedin Cycle Network.

The change, seen as a low-cost option, altered the flow of traffic by closing off the two eastern lanes, which were separated from the others by a low concrete barrier.

Motorists were confused by the road's new layout and the council received multiple complaints of near misses from vehicles driving the wrong way on the two remaining lanes.

In a letter to affected residents, the council accepted the change ''caused concern and confusion for road users and had not presented the cycle network at its best'' and that coming up with a plan to fix it was a priority.

Council senior traffic engineer Ron Minnema said local residents, businesses and key stakeholders, such as rubbish collectors, had input into a plan over the past few months.

The new plan was expected to cost more than $325,000.

The money is part of the overall budget for the South Dunedin cycle network.

It was proposed construction of the new layout would start by November 21 and be completed by December 19.

debbie.porteous@odt.co.nz

 


The new layout

• Defines the separated cycle lane with extensive landscaped separation from the vehicle lanes and includes resealing the cycle lane and putting in signs and new road markings.

• Widens the road and provides a shoulder to improve access and turning.

• Improves access to residential properties with pull-in bays to enable residents to enter and exit properties safely.

• Provides pull-in bays to enable rubbish trucks to move out of the way of traffic.

• Provides a new bus stop at the north end, separate from the road.


 

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