Trucks in the town’s main street, traffic congestion and growth pressures were already significant issues.
On top of that, a proposed inland port near Mosgiel was going through the government’s fast-track consenting process, adding some urgency to the situation, she said.
‘‘Hundreds of heavy truck movements through the centre of Mosgiel every day are already creating real safety concerns for school children, residents — including the imminent new residents of expanded retirement villages — as well as businesses and other road users,’’ Ms Leary said.
‘‘The proposed inland port, while positive for economic growth, only increases the urgency for adapted infrastructure.’’
The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is planning adjustments to key intersections.
An investment case is to determine ‘‘optimisation improvements’’ between the State Highway1 offramp to SH87 and the Hagart-Alexander Dr intersection, and the SH1 intersection with Riccarton Rd.
However, it is not yet clear what officials have in mind long term.
The Dunedin City Council is working on a Mosgiel transport study.
‘‘I am watching the evolution of this report closely, because traffic safety is the No 1 issue facing our Mosgiel community right now,’’ Ms Leary said.
‘‘The warnings about freight pressures and transport constraints in Mosgiel were identified in 2013 strategic planning documents, yet traffic volumes have continued to grow while many of the underlying issues remain unresolved.’’
‘‘Economic development opportunities created by the proposed inland port mean it is now crunch time when it comes to getting the supporting transport infrastructure right,’’ Ms Leary said.
The city council was updated on the transport study during a closed workshop on Monday.
New councillor Jo Galer said she queried afterwards why the workshop was non-public.
‘‘I believe Mosgiel people would have liked to know any progress,’’ she said in a Facebook post.
The inland port is being developed by Southern Link Property, which is a joint venture between Dynes Transport Tapanui and Port Otago-owned company Chalmers Properties.
An application for consent was last month resubmitted to the Environmental Protection Authority.
Port Otago chief executive Kevin Winders said a decision could be reached in October.
Asked about transport infrastructure, Mr Winders said the port had advocated for a heavy traffic bypass of Mosgiel.
Stantec completed a report for the port in 2024 that identified a preferred bypass route and Mr Winders said yesterday this was provided to the council and NZTA to ‘‘hopefully accelerate their thinking around what could be done’’.
Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board chairwoman Rebecca Shepherd said at least some heavy vehicles needed to be redirected away from the main street to preserve the community’s quality of life.
‘‘The absolutely overriding issue for Mosgiel is heavy traffic and congestion ...’’
Key points
• A 2013 council report said separating heavy traffic from the population of Mosgiel was a priority.
• Action to that effect has still not happened — concerns about traffic congestion continue to be raised.
• Adjustments are planned around the SH1-SH87 Mosgiel entrance and SH1 intersection with Riccarton Rd.
• An inland port proposal is progressing through a fast-tracked consent process.
• Long-term solutions for Mosgiel traffic congestion remain unclear.
