We’re testing a new road layout on Featherston Street
Published on 15 August 2023
We’re testing a new road layout soon as part of our detailed design for the Featherston Street cycleway and safety improvement project.
Waka Kotahi - NZ Transport Agency is funding pedestrian improvements and upgrades to the existing cycleway along Featherston Street under its Streets for People and Transport Choices programmes. Part of this work will include changes to some intersections.
Over the past nine months, we have been designing the new street alongside our community – including several public feedback periods, co-design workshops, and conversations with businesses and other street users. We are now moving to the next part of the project, which includes testing some elements of the new street design, so we can monitor their impact and make any changes needed before construction takes place in early-2024.
The tests will focus on two key elements and take place in late August.
The first involves implementing a ‘keep clear’ space in front of the entrances to McDonald’s, Mitre 10 and Ngata Street. These include yellow markings on the road to stop drivers who are queuing at the lights from blocking people trying to enter and exit those entranceways. A similar arrangement can be seen outside St Mary’s School and Te Papaioea Birthing Centre on Ruahine Street.
View of the lane layout by Torpedo 7 and Just Zilch
We'll also be testing different phasing options at the Rangitikei/Featherston Street traffic lights to ensure that, when the lanes change early next year, everyone will be able to continue to move through the intersection as efficiently as possible. This will start on Tuesday (22 August), and we’ll be looking at different phasing options throughout the week. The road will return to normal the following week (by Monday 28 August). The main change will be merging two lanes (left and straight lane), which is currently part of the final design following public support for a protected cycleway through each set of traffic lights on Featherston Street. The right-turn lane at the lights will remain. This same layout will occur at the Ruahine/Featherston Streets intersection.
View of the lane layout between McDonald’s and Countdown
Transport and Development Group Manager Hamish Featonby says the tests at the traffic lights will take place only between Tuesday 22nd and Sunday 27th August, while the ‘keep clear’ boxes may remain in place if supported by surrounding businesses and the community.
“It is important to note these features have been developed based on public and stakeholder feedback. We know any change to any street can be disruptive and we encourage everyone using Featherston Street to follow the new layout during the testing period. By doing so, we can effectively monitor the impact and make any necessary adjustments to the final design before construction starts early next year.”
People will be able to provide feedback about the keep clear zones and the light phasing on our website.
Over the past fortnight, we’ve also tested motorist behaviour to determine what happens when a bus stops in the lane to pick up and drop off passengers. This will help us ensure we’ve got the stops in the right spot, and that stops near traffic lights will have appropriate phasing to take this into account.
We’re also going to be testing which cycleway barrier is best for rubbish\recycling trucks and emergency services. This will happen off-site at Council’s Depot.
We’re also working with a group of stakeholders who have volunteered to be part of a group to help us look at placemaking initiatives between Central Normal School and Palmerston North Boys High School. Placemaking is about using creativity to create vibrant spaces that promote social interaction and a sense of identity and belonging.
Mr Featonby says we are committed to working alongside the community to create a safer and more accessible transport network and thanks everyone for their ongoing involvement and input throughout this important project.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is also investigating ways to make the SH3 Rangitikei St/ Featherston St intersection safer. As part of the permanent changes being constructed next year, Waka Kotahi is planning on installing a raised intersection or raised safety platforms at this location. More than 23,000 vehicles use the intersection daily, with more than 13,000 vehicles travelling on Featherston St to the west, and more than 11,000 travelling east. It says raised intersections and platforms help to keep people safe by encouraging drivers to slow down, reducing both the likelihood of crashes and the severity of injuries if crashes do occur. Waka Kotahi will time the work with the other construction, and this is not part of the trials. More information can be found at: https://nzta.govt.nz/sh3-rangitikei.