What measurable congestion relief, if any, has the construction work at the SH6/ 6A Frankton intersection and adjacent SH6/Hansen Road/Joe O’Connell Drive intersection, achieved?

Answer

The permanent works at the SH6/SH6A Frankton intersection and adjacent SH6/Hansen Road/Joe O’Connell Drive intersection are not yet complete. However, I’m advised the works will replace the existing SH6/SH6A roundabout with an enlarged signal-controlled intersection with more capacity, upgrade other intersections to signal control, and expand the bus hub on Kawarau Road so buses can travel more quickly and reliably through the most congested part of the network. Traffic signals are better at managing demand compared to roundabouts because they allow vehicles coming from any direction to get a fair amount of time to move through the intersection rather than traffic coming from one direction getting priority. Signals will adjust in real time to manage the flow. This means a smoother flow through the intersection from all directions. Additional lanes will also create some increased capacity. Signalised pedestrian crossings will be included to make it easier to cross the state highway to get to shops and businesses and there will be on-road cycle lanes and smoother transitions for cyclists from on road to off road shared paths. New traffic signals will mean better entry and exit for buses to the upgraded Bus Hub on SH6 Kawarau Road.