New markings on Petone Overbridge
Tamsin writes:
Hi there,
Just wondering what you think about the new road markings on
petone
bridge. They have made it one lane for traffic, with a cycle path on
the
left. Good intentions, but extremely hazardous (more than before) for
us
needing to get across to the Esplanade because now we cannot tell
which
cars will be turning left to go along Hutt and which ones right to
go
down past the roundabout.
Trying to get some advocacy together to
get it back to a two lane
traffic system, but wanting to know what you
thought about it.
Tamsin
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18 Feb 10
at 12:02
by murrayrobertson
Hi Tasin/Alastair
I personally believe that the one lane is better. The overbridge is not wide enough to have two lanes and a verge for cyclists. When it was two lanes I felt forced against the balustrade.
I can understand your problem though with working out which way traffic is going. As an alternative I believe you can now go left and then back under the overbridge on the cycle path the council have put in. I myself stopped going down the esplande several years ago (while it was two lane) as even though the bridge is meant to be a 50km/h zone cars can be doing anything up to 100. I felt it was just too risky after a couple of scares to risk crossing both lanes and/or to try and claim the left lanes when cars are going that fast. I now keep left, go down the Hutt Road and onto Jackson Street. Obviously the new layout works well for this route.
I have to admit that I was involved in consulting with NZTA on CAW's behalf at the time (proposals were emailed round the group). We didn't have to get everything we wanted nor did Mark Edwardsat NZTA who designed the works and is himself a keen cyclist who had to pass the designs round many groups. I have been asked to pass comments onto Mark and will do so.
Murray