Tim Newman12:21, May 09 2021
BRADEN FASTIER/Stuff
Under the Waka Kotahi-NZTA proposal, priority lanes would be coming to Waimea Rd and other Nelson roads.
Nelson s priority lane plans have been met with relief from supporters, but those opposed say the “fight is far from over”. Waka Kotahi-New Zealand Transport Agency put forward their proposal for Nelson’s Future Access Project on Friday, with priority lanes for Waimea Rd and Tahunanui Drive coming at the expense of the “Southern Link” inland route option. While the priority lane proposal has a timeline of about 15 years, short-term fixes have been proposed for the next three years, as well as a 10-year plan to enhance walking and cycling options on Rocks Rd.
BRADEN FASTIER/Stuff
Priority lanes would be added to this stretch of Waimea Rd, and the existing traffic lights are proposed to be removed and replaced with signalised intersections at Hampden St and Van Dieman St.
Priority lanes on major routes have been chosen as the long-term fix for Nelson s transport problems, with the controversial inland route dropped. A long awaited programme for the Nelson Future Access project, released on Friday by Waka Kotahi-New Zealand Transport Agency, proposes priority lanes for Waimea Rd and Tahunanui Dr as long-term options, indicated as a 15-year timeline. In the meantime the agency is proposing a number of short-term fixes over the next three years, including new cycle paths, more traffic lights and measures to reduce “rat-running”.