Dunedin's one-way highway traffic system is vital to keeping our city moving. It is the main arterial route through our city and it has worked effectively over the last 54 years.
In January 1968, the one-way highway design of a pair of parallel north/south roads was introduced to Dunedin. This was created to provide an improved level of traffic service to the major roads in the central area. A linked traffic-signal system ensured the free flow of traffic, along with road signs and markings that were designed to high standards. The one-way roading scheme eliminated delays and congestion for traffic on the north/south corridor, and nearly doubled the speed over the one formerly congested two-way area. Traffic accidents were significantly reduced and the level of traffic service was raised at a very economical cost, and with minimum disturbance to the areas through which it passes. So my question is: why change something that is safe and effective?
Yes, the new Dunedin Hospital is going to be built between Castle and Cumberland Sts. The one-way highway system was known and was seen as a benefit of selecting this location. Then for some reason, there is some thinking that we would be better off with two dual-way streets, with one being a slower 30kmh street (Cumberland) and one being the highway (Castle) moving at 50kmh. The thinking around this is that it is going to be a more effective way to move traffic through Dunedin.
Sorry, I wholeheartedly disagree.
The one thing I am really struggling with, in respect to Dunedin’s roading system, is that there is no vision. Everything that the council is currently doing is very "piece-meal"; not connected to an overall city transport plan, and in my opinion will be much more dangerous.
Thank goodness Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (November 2021) agreed to retain the one-way system, which is contrary to what the mayor and some DCC councillors are wanting, I agree with Waka Kotahi that Dunedin’s one-way system needs to remain.
So what did Mayor Hawkins do? He fired off emails to the Waka Kotahi CEO and cc’ed in two ministers: Michael Wood (Transport Minister) and James Shaw (Green Party leader). We also have Cr Benson-Pope and his old cabinet colleague and SDHB chairman, Pete Hodgson, championing to change the one-way system because of the hospital. I guess it is going to be very interesting when Minister Michael Wood comes for a visit this week. As I understand it, there will be only a very small group of people interacting with Minister Wood during his visit, and the lobbying for change will be strong from this contingent.
I am also stunned that the University of Otago council believe that changing the one-way system to two dual-way roads would be a positive move for the university precinct. Think about all the trucks and traffic that will now travel both ways along Cumberland St between the busy university and the Otago Museum. This is already a narrow roadway and it will be carrying dramatically more traffic. Then, add all the pedestrians heading into or out of the university, plus cyclists and scooter riders (will those crazy bike lanes remain and further narrow the road?) and wow, this is going to be an extremely dangerous area to traverse — whether it be by bike, car or on foot.
We also need to factor in all the businesses that have been established to accommodate the one-way system over the last 50 years. The motels, restaurants, cafes, and petrol stations all rely on this through traffic for egress. To change it on the whim of some local and national politicians is not well thought out or nor well planned.
People may not be aware of this, but the currently planned roading change — with the heavy traffic bypass to go from Strathallan St through to Frederick St via Wharf, Thomas-Burns and Ward Sts — will greatly reduce the heavy traffic using the current one-way system, thus enhancing flow and safety around the hospital area. This negates the argument for changing to a two-way street because of hospital safety concerns.
So how can we improve Dunedin’s traffic flow and move people more effectively around the new hospital? Actually, Cr Jules Radich suggested the idea earlier last year, when he talked about building a large multi-storey parking building on the St Andrews St car park by the railway lines. Then build an overhead walkway connecting through to the hospital, on to the Great King St bus hub and through to George St. This will be critical as the main hospital entrance will be off St Andrew St, which will be closed off for hospital-only traffic.
This overhead walkway would provide great connectivity for everyone. Even better, it would tick all the boxes that the hospital location promised: it would be safe, weather-proof and ensure convenience for workers and visitors at the hospital and around the city. Parking would be convenient and easy to access, no matter from which direction you are coming to get to the hospital.
I agree, there needs to be greater consideration for pedestrian and cyclist safety, but the proposed concept of a two-way system greatly increases the risk of accidents with increased activity in multiple directions. Ironically, this was the consistent messaging from Waka Kotahi and the DCC (in 2014) on the need for one-way cycle paths through the city, as it would greatly reduce harm. It is also ironic, now, how many of the advocates for this one-way cycleway seem to believe that two-way streets are the way to go.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of overall vision or "master planning" around Dunedin’s traffic and transport future. Everything is being done in a piece-meal fashion with decisions made in isolation, with little connectivity, which in turn will most likely increase vehicle, cyclist, and pedestrian-related accidents. We will have blockages at Filleul and Hanover Sts and the one-way flow of George St starting in the next couple of weeks. There’s been no investment in increasing parking capacity, yet some concept that parking signage will cure all our problems.
The proposed "park and ride" at Burnside is supposed to mitigate some issues, and then we will have bus lanes up Princes St.
The current one-way system works effectively and it will work well during the hospital construction and for many years after. Remember we had an SOS campaign around the new hospital site; now we need a SOS campaign again. Yes, Save Our Streets — or more importantly, Save the One-way System.
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Comments
One way roads are inherently safer. Fact. Thats why we build motorways that are effectively one way corridors of traffic. the inner city cycle was built as a one way system because it was safer. The new George street upgrades will be one way because its safer for pedestrians. So the only reason some elected officials want a two way system for Dunedins busiest road, SH1, is because they are ignorant of the past and are seemingly preoccupied with achieving short term election egotistic goals that are not throughly considered. Changing roading systems has far reaching implications for many generations so we must at all costs get this right.
A DCC councillor speaking common sense, now that is a novelty. Let's have a few more like this and less of the 'I know best because I am the mayor/failed minister'.
As you say: Sorry, I wholeheartedly disagree, but with this opinion. The underlying base assumption here appears to be that traffic consists simply of motorised vehicles travelling at speed from the Oval to the Gardens. The One-way system was designed in the 60s-70s with indeed such thinking.
50 years on and most people now consider the city traffic to be both motorised and non-motorised traffic, so must include pedestrians, wheelchair-bound, scooters, cyclists, as well as cars/trucks. The town centre has expanded from just George St (with the 1-way as effectively a high-speed bypass) to include the additional blocks across to Anzac Ave and our traffic management needs to be updated to reflect this.
NZTA/WK has a 'Road to Zero' goal. A high-capacity/high-speed arterial feed through what is now the middle of Dunedin conflicts with that, so yes they do need to listen to the experts outside their car-centric planning bubble. Transport infrastructure as a whole needs to address city living, not simply state highway driving.
You write of Council as if you are not a councillor.