Removing car parks and bus stops, shifting cycle lanes and introducing 30kmh speed limits may be needed for the streets around the new Dunedin Hospital while it is being built.
Part of St Andrew St will also probably be reduced to two lanes to enable the installation of pile foundations for air bridges that will link the planned inpatient and outpatient buildings.
Preliminary plans are laid out in a transport assessment prepared for the Ministry of Health.
Two lanes of traffic in the one-way Cumberland and Castle Sts was identified as a priority.
However, ensuring two lanes of traffic at all times on the one-way arterial routes could come at the cost of car parks and bus stops.
Cycle lanes would shift within the roading corridor and some footpaths would close, as long as alternative convenient routes were provided.
Temporary speed limits of 30kmh were included in the key principles recommended.
The ministry intends to open the outpatient building in 2025 and the larger inpatient building in 2028.
Much of the demolition work on the inner city sites intended for the hospital has been completed.
The ministry wants fast-track consent for groundworks and foundations for the two main hospital buildings and ancillary buildings.
A transport assessment was carried out in relation to underground street works.
Diversions would not be needed from Cumberland and Castle Sts and the levels of delay resulting from reduced speed limits would be ‘‘tolerable’’, the assessment said.
Frederick St and Hanover St would likely be promoted as alternatives to St Andrew St.
‘‘Overall, it is considered there is a range of diversion routes available that should be promoted to spread the traffic that would otherwise use St Andrew St.’’
The transport assessment said works were required within the roading corridor to connect new utility services to the sites.
Underground connections had been proposed between the inpatient building and logistics centre, as well as between the inpatient and outpatient building.
There could be up to 62 truck movements a day at peak activity.
Shipping containers are likely to be used to manage noise, and could be in Cumberland and Castle Sts for eight months.
