Karori roadworks just started but drivers already irritated
Three days into six months of roadworks through Wellington’s largest suburbs, locals are already hot under the collar.
Work began on the Karori Connections project on Monday, with construction teams raising pedestrian crossings outside St Teresa’s primary school and Samuel Marsden Collegiate School, at opposite ends of Karori Rd. Once finished they will move to Chaytor St, the main route in and out of Karori, then to Glenmore St.
The project, which includes cycleways, bus lane and bus stop changes, parking changes and pedestrian upgrades, is part of the rapid roll-out of Paneke Pōneke, a $226 million plan to deliver a connected bike network across Wellington city.
The location takes in the busiest bus route in Wellington – in August 2023, it had an average of 3400 bus passengers per weekday, and runs through one of New Zealand’s, and Wellington’s most, populated suburbs, with an estimated 15,380 residents as of June 2023.
But the project has the community up in arms, and even more so after large illuminated signs warning of six months of traffic disruption were placed just north of Karori tunnel over the Christmas break and adjacent to Karori Park on Sunday.
Exasperated motorists have been posting photographs of long peak-hour queues snaking back from Marsden Village to the
tunnel on social media since the crossing work began, with several suggesting it was “just the tip of the iceberg”.
“Is there an accident? Queue back to Glenmore St now,” said one. “No, I think it’s just the roadworks, over the next six months for the cycle lane,” came the response, followed by “Day 1 and it’s already a mess.” And “Good times on the way home! Chaytor St, avoid, avoid, avoid!”
One resident has written to councillors regarding the cycleway roll-out, noting not only widespread opposition to it, but the fact it was being done at the same time 45% of water is leaking from the city’s pipes.
Commenting on the large signs, he noted the irony of the placement of the one by Karori Park. “It is less than 50 metres from a water leak from council's own premises, namely Karori Park, which has been going for many weeks, if not months.
“There are no excuses for this situation. It has been known about for many years and successive councils have not given it the attention it deserves. Frankly, this is nothing short of an embarrassment for the city that has the privilege of being the capital,” he wrote.
Marsden Village business owners spoken to were in two minds about the project, saying the dedicated cycle lanes from Glenmore St through to south Karori would have little affect as they were not joined up through that particular section.
However, there would be a loss of several parking spaces to make way for a longer bus stop and they were worried the lengthy time frame for the road works could see motorists taking alternative routes and bypassing the village altogether.
One said he had noticed customers were already annoyed and it was creating some tension, while another said they knew it would “drive people mad”, but “what will be will be...we’ve had Covid, we’ve had earthquakes, we’ve got roadworks”.
Changes in Chaytor St will include a new shared path for cyclists and pedestrians through Appleton Park, the removal of 23 car parks, and an uphill bike lane.
Work also began on three secondary cycling routes in Karori in November – involving minor changes on South Karori Rd, Birdwood to Braithwaite streets and Karori Park to Marsden Village via back streets such as Friend St.