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Pukekohe’s King Street needs more zebra crossings, the Auckland Urban Development Office contends.
While crossings already cover all four directions on the roundabouts on King Street, work is now underway to upgrade crossings at the intersection of King and Hall Streets.
‘In line with other streetscape and pedestrian improvements to improve walkability and prepare for more pedestrians, we are changing three existing courtesy crossings to pedestrian zebra crossings,’ a letter from the Auckland Urban Development Office’s project team states.
Zebra crossings require motorists (even when on roundabouts) to give way to pedestrians; courtesy crossings remind those on foot to give way to traffic.
The project will require more work than first thought due to significant structural damage.
‘Pavement engineers have confirmed that the bases of the crossings on King and Hall Streets must be fully replaced before the crossings can be reinstated. The extent of the damage indicates that further failures, including potholes and cracking, are likely in the near future.
‘Identifying these issues now allows us to address them proactively, before completing the original project of installing new zebra pedestrian crossings. This will help reduce the likelihood of unplanned closures and repairs in the future.’
Depending on weather, replacement of the crossing bases will involve road closures May 17–25.
Stop/go traffic management will then be in place until June 5 as work is completed.
If readers would like to share their views regarding the placement and number of crossings along King Street, please email editor@franklintimes.co.nz.
