Route identified for Redoubt – Mill Road upgrade

A route has been identified for the upgrade of the Redoubt and Mill road corridor, which is needed to support large housing growth in the area.

Traffic is predicted to double on the route in 10 to 15 years due to the growth. More than 22,000 new homes are proposed for the area, about 10,000 are in special housing areas that are likely to be fast-tracked.

Auckland Transport has identified the route for the upgrade and applied to Auckland Council to designate land (Notices of Requirement) for the project.

The council is expected to publicly notify the Notices of Requirement (NoR) for the designation in early 2015, with a hearing before independent commissioners to follow.

Auckland Transport Project Director, Theunis van Schalkwyk, says the project is driven by significant growth planned for the area and to improve the roads’ poor safety record.

“Congestion is already affecting Redoubt Road and Mill Road. The large number of new houses leads to traffic doubling in 10 to 15 years, meaning the road won’t cope without a major upgrade.

“Between 2009 and 2013 there were 283 crashes, including four deaths, with a number of accident hotspots on curves and junctions. The upgrade will improve the alignment to the safety standard required on an arterial route.

“With growth happening quickly in the area we need to give certainty to both existing and future property owners what land is needed for the upgrade. New housing areas can then be built knowing where the transport infrastructure to support it will be.

Mr van Schalkwyk says a number of route options have been investigated, consulted upon and evaluated before the final route was confirmed, with an independent environmental assessment a key factor.

The assessment recommended a number of mitigation measures to minimise impacts.

The route includes 23m high viaducts at Puhinui Creek gully and a 17m high viaduct at South Mill Road gully above native bush to minimise impacts. The project also includes about 30,000 sqm of native planting, stream restoration, wetlands created, pest eradication and environmental monitoring during and after construction.

Auckland Transport has contacted affected property owners directly about the project and is meeting with them to discuss their land owner rights and the planning process. The upgrade will need future purchase of 54 full properties and 257 partial properties, for example part of a driveway or frontages.

Project features

• Redoubt Road widened to two lanes in each direction between State Highway One and Murphys Road

• Westbound bus lane along Hollyford Drive and Redoubt Road towards Manukau

• On road cycle lanes on both sides and an off road cycle and foot path for the length of the upgrade

• Replacement of the existing Mill Road with a new arterial with two lanes in each direction between Murphys Road and Popes Road

• Murphys Road widened to two lanes in each direction between Flat Bush School Road and Redoubt Road

• Murphys/Redoubt Road intersection realigned and traffic lights added to improve safety

• 17m and 23m high viaducts at Puhinui Creek gully and South Mill Road gully above native bush

• Widened footpaths on both sides of Redoubt, Mill and Murphys roads with pedestrian crossings at key intersections

• Replacement planting and stream restoration

• Improved stormwater facilities, including wetlands areas

• Landscaping of the new road corridor.

Check out the website and video: https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/the-mill-road-corridor/

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