The opening of Barbadoes Street this Friday (15 April ) to one-way south-bound traffic is likely to bring immediate relief to traffic congestion around the entire city.
This, along with the opening of Montreal Street to northbound traffic earlier this week, (Monday 11 April) should mean that north and south bound traffic will no longer have to seek alternative routes.
Previously cordoned areas in the Central Business District meant that north-bound and south-bound traffic generally had to move west to find an alternative route. This, and reduced capacity on Fitzgerald Avenue, and damage to roads in the eastern suburbs had placed pressure on arterial roads and had increased congestion.
National Controller John Hamilton said plans to open Barbadoes Street had involved serious consideration around balancing the public need for better traffic flow against the need to provide clearways for trucks removing demolition material.
“Barbodoes Street has provided crucial access for contractors involved in the demolition process as work continues towards opening Zones 6 and 7. The process of making buildings safe, the whole or partial demolition of critically dangerous buildings, the tidying of streets, and the repair of infrastructure has resulted in a large volume of traffic, much of which moves through Barbadoes Street.
“This is set to continue as a result of ongoing demolitions in Zone 7, but the public need for better traffic flow has led to this decision.”
Hamilton urged drivers to be patient when moving through the street.
“Please stay aware that there will be many heavy vehicles using Barbadoes Street in the coming weeks. Obey basic road rules and pay particular attention to signage. And, although it might seem that I’m stating the obvious, it’s important to remember that it is a one-way south-bound street.”
Meanwhile, the section on Salisbury Street between Madras Street and Barbadoes Street that was temporarily changed to two way after the 22 February Earthquake will go back to being one way east bound from Friday (April 15).
