New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has released proposed changes to reshape transport in central Dunedin and achieve safe and efficient access to the city’s new hospital. 

Right now, people can have their say on the preferred option for State Highway 1 Cumberland Street and State Highway 88 St Andrew Street, both of which are key routes connecting people to the new Dunedin Hospital. The hospital’s main inpatient and outpatient public entrances will both open onto the intersection of these two streets.

The proposed roading changes, developed in partnership with Dunedin City Council after previous rounds of community feedback, can be viewed in detail here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh1-sh88-dunedin-safety-improvements/

“The new hospital development is a once in a generation development for Dunedin. It presents an exciting opportunity to reshape the surrounding transport infrastructure to best serve the community,” says NZTA Director of Regional Relationships, Ian Duncan. 

“Up to 10,000 pedestrians will be walking in and around the new hospital facilities daily when open. Many of these people will be ill, elderly or vulnerable, so safety will be paramount. Access to the new hospital will need to cater for frequent pick-ups and drop-offs by vehicles, and for unimpeded access by emergency services.”

“At the same time, these changes we have laid out are aimed at ensuring we continue to have good traffic flow for road users in and out of Dunedin’s CBD.” 

Proposed changes include the following: A new Barnes Dance crossing (where all pedestrians cross the road at once) at the SH88 St Andrew Street/SH1 Cumberland Street intersection to help people reach the hospital public entrances safely.

Removal of the westbound right turn from SH88 St Andrew Street onto SH1 Cumberland Street to make space and time for the increased number of pedestrians, including people with mobility needs, to cross the road.

Two new signalised pedestrian crossings on SH1 outside the Woolworths and the Centre City New World supermarkets.

Changes to St Andrew Street and other nearby streets to help people driving, walking and cycling, and emergency vehicles, move safely and smoothly around the hospital and surrounding area.

Frederick Street will become the new SH88, moving right turning traffic from St Andrew Street to other streets.