Flagship development planned for busy road

Detailed planning is about to begin on changes to Heretaunga Street East- Havelock Road, which provides a vital link between Hastings and Havelock North

The road is an integral part of the Hastings transport network and there is potential for traffic increases to cause major congestion in years to come.

Extensive public consultation has already been undertaken and that feedback will be included in a study on the future design of the road.

Transportation Engineer Frans Krause says “the road is the second busiest commuter link in Hastings and is also an integral part of the iWay project, linking Havelock North to Hastings.

“Once the study is complete, we’ll undertake the detailed design, with construction due to begin later this year’ Mr Krause says.

Currently 22 thousand vehicles use the road each day with forecasts showing that will rise to 26 thousand by 2046.

The study will look at the need for additional lanes to carry the predicted volume of traffic, ways to reduce single occupancy trips, improved public transport, a separate pedestrian/cycleway and will also address the impact of traffic coming from driveways along the road.

The majority of vehicles which travel from Havelock North to Hastings, do an average of five km per trip and that appears to be a trend which will continue through to 2045.

This begs the question-is the projected traffic volume on the road sufficient to sustain a regular bus or other public transport options, such as a tram service, in the long term future?

Hastings District Council considers walking and cycling to be a fundamental part of their sustainable approach to transport and strategies will be incorporated into the final design of the route to ensure cyclists and walkers are kept safe.

The public is invited to view artist’s concepts of the changes and talk to staff, at an open day, to be held this Wednesday, between 8am and 6pm in the Cushing Foyer at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House.