29 March 2018
New traffic roundabout for Island Bay foreshore
Work has started this week on new traffic and pedestrian safety measures at the intersection of The Esplanade and Reef
Street in Island Bay.
The work, which includes construction of a new traffic roundabout, is part of a range of changes in the area that are
about improving the safety and efficiency of bus movements.
Wellington City Council’s Transport Strategy Portfolio Leader, Councillor Chris Calvi-Freeman, says the $400,000 project
will improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists in the area as well as make life easier for bus drivers.
“The new roundabout will enable buses to turn around safely – and will be a traffic-calming measure. It will help to
slow traffic heading along the Esplanade – meaning it’ll improve safety for people crossing the road to get to and from
the beach.”
Cr Calvi-Freeman says the project includes the shifting of the bus stops in the area and the provision of new lay-over
areas for buses.
He says the removal of trolley buses from the Island Bay route has allowed the bus turnaround area to be shifted. “For
years the buses have turned at the intersection of The Parade and Reef Street. It’s quite a constricted intersection –
and it’s not ideal from a traffic safety and visibility point-of-view.”
The project is funded by Greater Wellington Regional Council. Its Sustainable Transport Committee Chair, Councillor
Barbara Donaldson, says the Esplanade and Reef Street work is readying one end of Wellington’s busiest bus routes for
the new network rollout.
“Island Bay bus users will be one of the first passengers riding in the new all-electric double decker buses. Higher
capacity double decker buses carrying more passengers at peak times will reduce the number of buses on the road, meaning
less congestion and faster trips through the CBD.
“The new high-frequency North-South bus route 1 travels along The Parade via Rintoul St to Wellington CBD and on to
Johnsonville and other northern suburbs.
“Weekday peak travellers will have higher capacity buses than today, running every 10 minutes. People will be able to
turn up and go, waiting no more than approximately 10 minutes weekday during the daytime and 15 minutes weekend during
the daytime.”
ends