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Bin Enquiry FormThe New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and Hutt City Council (HCC) are consulting on a proposal to close the existing onramp from Grounsell Crescent to the northbound lanes of State Highway 2 (refer Figure 1).
Some State Highway motorists use Grounsell Crescent and the onramp to bypass or ‘rat run’ around the Grounsell Crescent traffic signals. This leads to higher traffic volumes and vehicle speeds on Grounsell Crescent.
The relatively short onramp length makes it difficult for motorists to merge into State Highway traffic. Motorists often stop on the onramp or the highway shoulder while waiting for a gap in traffic, or enter the fast moving State Highway traffic at low speed, creating a safety risk.
The close proximity of the existing Grounsell Crescent traffic signals means there is a safer alternative to using the onramp, and the ramp could be closed without significant travel time or congestion effects.
There were 85 crashes reported between Wairere Road intersection and the Grounsell Crescent Northbound onramp between 2012 and 2017, including five causing serious injury. The prominent crashes are rear-end types, usually during the afternoon northbound peak times and typically involving queuing traffic.
NZTA and Council’s proposals will improve driver and pedestrian safety without significant effects on travel times or congestion.
The closure of the onramp will mean that the current piece of road that forms the onramp will become a short road providing access to Grounsell Crescent for three residences. The road will be ‘Stop’ controlled due to the limited sight distance when approaching Grounsell Crescent.
The existing layout at the intersection of Grounsell Crescent and Hill Road (Figure 2) is shown below. Click or tap on the image to view at a larger size.
Two options are being discussed for the new intersection layout. The difference between the two options is the provision of a right turn bay to existing onramp, and the centreline alignment.
Installing a right turn bay to the previous onramp and priority to Grounsell Crescent southbound traffic (see Figure 3). Click or tap on the image to view at a larger size.
Providing a right turn bay to the existing onramp (Option 1) would mean Grounsell Crescent northbound traffic (to Hill Road) wouldn’t have to slow down or stop when another vehicle is waiting to turn right. However, Council engineers are concerned that there would not be much clearance between vehicles stopped to turn right, and those heading southbound down Hill Road. The speed of vehicles coming down the hill and the sweeping vertical and horizontal curves increase the risk of vehicle conflict.
No right turn bay to the previous onramp and priority to Grounsell Crescent southbound traffic (see Figure 4). Click or tap on the image to view at a larger size.
By not providing a right turn bay (Option 2), more separation could be achieved between vehicles waiting to turn right and those heading southbound down Hill Road. This configuration could mean that northbound vehicles travelling from Grounsell Crescent to Hill Road may have to slow or stop when vehicles are waiting to turn right. As there are only three residences accessing the existing onramp, these occasions are expected to be infrequent.
The existing onramp configuration contributes to the following issues:
NZTA has commissioned two technical reports into the proposed changes.
Grounsell Crescent Operational Assessment (PDF 480.8KB)
Grounsell Crescent Investigation and Options Report (PDF 4.3MB)
Residents in the affected area have received written notification of the proposed onramp closure and related changes. Council is now asking for community feedback on the proposed changes via the Letter to Residents and Feedback Form (PDF 2.07MB)
Submissions can be posted to:
Hutt City Council Administration Building
30 Laings Road
Private Bag 31912
Lower Hutt, 5040
Or emailed to: grounsellconsult@huttcity.govt.nz
Queries about the proposal should be directed to:
Damon Simmons - Traffic Asset Manager, Hutt City Council
T: 04 570 6866
E: grounsellconsult@huttcity.govt.nz