Media Release
18 February 2009

More routes investigated for Mill/Redoubt Rd transport corridor

Manukau City Council will investigate two routes suggested by the community for roading upgrades in the Mill/Redoubt Road area.

The council’s Policy and Activities Committee decided last night (17 February) to do further work to see which options could provide for a predicted doubling of traffic flows in the area. The work, which will cost $93,000, will help the council decide if any of the routes should be taken forward for further consultation.

The decision follows preliminary public consultation last year on proposed improvements to the Mill/Redoubt Rd corridor to cope with increasing volumes of traffic that will come with future growth. Three possible routes were identified by the council and the consultation showed that the community believed more options needed to be considered.

Upgrading roading links in the area corridor is necessary to cope with increased traffic flows during the next 20 years. Traffic flows along Mill and Redoubt roads is expected to increase from about 11,000 to 24,000 vehicles a day as growth occurs in Flat Bush, Takanini and Papakura.

The upgrade is also necessary to improve road safety. Between 2002-06 there were 179 recorded crashes, which included 47 injuries and two deaths.

Manukau City Council Transport Portfolio Leader David Collings says the council decided that two of the options suggested by the community required further investigation.

“This work will see if either of the options will meet the transport needs and are viable before deciding if they will be included in more public consultation or dropped.

“It should be noted that these new proposed routes could have an effect on other communities. They will be fully consulted if these are added to the three options already identified by the council.

“Over time traffic flows in the area will double as Flat Bush, Takanini and Papakura grow, so if we do not address this there will be an increase in congestion and we will see more accidents.

“Although work on any upgraded road isn’t likely to begin for a number of years, what we are doing now is identifying the preferred route. Even after the route is identified there will be a number of opportunities for people to have their say.

“We will keep the community informed on progress and let them know when formal consultation will begin again,” Cr Collings says.

People wanting to receive updates can email communications@manukau.govt.nz or go to www.manukau.govt.nz/millroad.

Further options

Option X1 – is a new alignment which connects the Alfriston-Brookby Road (in the vicinity of Richardson Road) to Ormiston Road (in the vicinity of Shepherds Lane). The intention of this route is to divert traffic away from the Redoubt/Mill Road corridor.

Option D alternative – is a variation of Option D which joins Redoubt Road opposite Kinnaird Lane and will be located to the south of Redoubt Road as it proceeds towards the Option D alignment in the vicinity of the Watercare reservoirs.

Options previously identified by council

Redoubt/Mill Road options:

Option J - upgrade the present Redoubt Rd and Mill Rd alignments to arterial road standard.

Option C - upgrade the existing alignment of Redoubt Rd and Mill Rd, and moving an 800 metre section of Mill Road near Polo Prince Drive to the east to avoid major earthworks and services.

Option D - upgrade the existing alignment of Redoubt Road up to a point some 400 metres east of Mill Road. From there approximate 1.7 km of new road would be formed adjacent to the Watercare reservoirs, heading south to meet Mill Road between Polo Prince Drive and Ranfurly Road.

Murphys Road intersection options:

Option I - a southern extension of Murphys Road to link with Redoubt Rd to the east of the present intersection.

Option K- a western diversion of Murphys Rd starting south of Murphys Bush and climbing at gradual rate to meet Redoubt Rd close to the location of the present intersection. This option does away with the steep southern section of Murphys Rd.

ENDS

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