Lane Changes on Wakefield Street

Pedestrian safety in the central city will be further improved as a result of changes at the northbound intersection of Wakefield and Taranaki streets, starting on Wednesday 4 January.

The number of lanes at this intersection, on the one-way section of Wakefield Street, is being increased from four to five. This means there will be separate lanes for traffic turning left or right onto Taranaki Street, and turning vehicles will not hold up the traffic going straight ahead onto Jervois Quay or continuing along Wakefield Street.

The two pedestrian crossings over Taranaki Street will be safer, with more time to walk across before turning vehicles get the green light. Pedestrians will also not have to wait so long to cross.

To make room for the extra lane, the pohutukawa tree near the entrance to the BP service station is being moved further back down Wakefield Street and the traffic island will be removed with the loss of two parking spaces. New traffic signals on high mast arms will also be installed to make the lights more visible.

The work is being done as part of our SaferRoads project to eliminate traffic black spots around the city, and is expected to take six weeks.