Retired Dunedin taxi driver Robert Donaldson was driving down St Andrew St at lunchtime on Saturday and had to to wait more than 15 minutes to get through the intersection on to George St.
Mr Donaldson said the lights were only letting one car per green-light turn into the newly-upgraded Farmers Block.
"I’ve never seen such a shambles along the street and that’s appalling that it’s the main street," he said.
The light change times caused a "long line of drivers" waiting behind in traffic, which got even more backed-up with drivers turning on to the street from the St Andrew St exit of the Golden Centre car park, he said.
"It’s the main street and we’re coming right on to Christmas.
"It’s just absolutely shocking, they need to sort it out."
Mr Donaldson said congestion in the area could be alleviated if the light phase timings were extended to allow more cars to turn on to the one way section of George St.
The Dunedin City Council said on social media yesterday it understood navigating the central city was challenging with a large number of construction projects under way or beginning.
It said electronic boards were positioned around the city detailing how long it would take to get places by taking specific routes, "to help guide motorists into and through the city centre in the most efficient way".
The council did not respond to a request for comment before deadline.
