Improvements to Benson Road, funded by Ōrākei Local Board, are now complete.

The upgrade improves safety for pedestrians crossing the four roads at the Remuera intersection, as well as those using the footpath around the Benson Road/Upland Road shops.

The first side was complete in December 2015, and the second in January. “The project was driven initially as a safety concern, but another result is the streetscape looks much better, which helps with the ambience of the area,” says Ōrākei Local Board member Ken Baguley.

“The money for the project came from Auckland Transport’s capital fund. I compliment Auckland Transport and its sub-contractor for their work.”

Further footpath repairs will be made in January 2017. The next transport project for Ōrākei Local Board is the Abbotts Way and Grand Drive upgrade, beginning in May 2016.

Works include: 
• installing traffic lights at the intersection of Abbotts Way and Grand Drive 
• installing a traffic island and pedestrian crosswalks on Grand Drive 
• new footpaths on both sides of Grand Drive to connect with existing footpaths 
• modifying road marking to provide two lanes of traffic in each direction  

• creating cycle lanes. The new traffic lights will improve traffic flow on Grand Drive, reducing the number of accidents, and provide a smooth flow of traffic on Abbotts Way. The project is expected to be complete by October 2016. 

Auckland Council News