Albany Street Connection

There will be several features including raised crossings across side streets, raised zebra crossings across Albany Street, a special cycle-friendly pedestrian/zebra crossing on Anzac Avenue which gives cyclists and pedestrians priority, separators to protect cyclists from vehicles and new mobility car parks.

The budget for this work is $3 million which is 51% co-funded by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

The main bus stops servicing the University will be improved. In a first for Dunedin, we plan to install an ‘in-lane’ bus stop on the northern side of Albany Street near Grange Street. This means that buses will stop within the traffic lane when passengers get on and off. The design was chosen because it prevents delays for buses when they re-enter the traffic stream and because the bus stop wouldn’t have fitted in otherwise. Bee Card data shows that at this bus stop people are mostly getting off, not on the bus. Therefore, we don’t expect that buses need to stop for long and interrupt the traffic flow too much

The speed limit has already changed. In early 2023, Dunedin City Councillors approved a speed reduction in the tertiary area to 30 km/h.

Most car parks being removed from the northern side of Albany Street and some near the Anzac Ave/Minerva Street intersection will go to make room for the new cycleway and pedestrian crossings. To minimise the loss, we are adding new angle car parks on sections of Riego and Clyde Streets to be one-wayed and we are changing parking restrictions to encourage greater turn over. We have also worked with affected businesses and landowners to keep parking on the northern side of Albany Street in two locations to cater for customers and University Library pick up/drop off.

Yes. To offset the loss of parking spaces on Albany Street, the DCC will create additional parking on sections of Clyde and Riego Streets. To create these new parking spaces, the streets (or part of them) will be made one way to allow room for angled parking. Parking restriction changes have also been developed with input from businesses, landowners and the University, to help make better use of existing parking spaces.

Yes, early in the planning stage, the disability sector was involved in helping create a walking and cycling connection that also creates a friendly environment for people with disabilities

We will fix any problems with 3 Waters infrastructure discovered during this project, even if it delays construction. Dealing with such issues at the time will help reduce the risk and the cost of having to dig up the road again in future.

In 2023 and again in 2025, we engaged with affected businesses and landowners to discuss potential parking changes. Conversations resulted in new proposed parking restriction changes to make better use of existing car parks and better cater for the needs of businesses. Further, there are two new parking areas on the northern side of Albany Street near businesses proposed, to cater for customers and University Library pick up/drop off. The engagement is ongoing but in its final stage.

In response to that feedback, we undertook another round of consultation in May 2023. This consultation outlined the changes we had made to the 2022 concept design as a result of public feedback, such as retaining Leith Street as a two-way street, and retaining as many mature trees on Albany Street as possible. We asked for new feedback on changes to the Albany/Clyde Street and Albany/Forth Street intersections, as well as a dedicated food truck space. Consultation closed June 2023. In early 2023, DCC Councillors approved a 30 km/h speed limit reduction for the tertiary area.

We listened to your feedback

Based on public feedback, we made changes to the 2022 concept. These were:

• Leith Street (from Albany Street to Frederick Street): Retain as a two-way street to support the Leith Street businesses and cyclists who use this route (less angle parking means it’s safer for cyclists)
• Clyde/Union Streets intersection: Make it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross with a raised zebra crossing and new kerb build outs
• Harbour Terrace zebra crossing: Raise existing zebra crossing to make it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross
• Trees along Albany Street: Keep most of the trees and still have the separated cycleway
• Albany Street between George Street and Great King Street: Continue the cycleway to link up with the retail area. This won't result in parking loss as the road is wide enough
• In-lane bus stop on Albany Street: The new super stop will only have one in-lane bus stop on Albany Street, not two
• Albany Street between Forth Street and Riego Street: Include an area where coaches can stop for the new University college
• Leith Street near Albany Street: New short-term parking to support businesses.

Based on further technical assessments we proposed new changes to the 2022 concept. These were::

• Albany/Clyde Streets intersection: Make Clyde Street between Albany Street and Trent Avenue one way south to reduce vehicle/cyclist conflicts at this intersection. More (angle) parking will be added into this part of Clyde Street
• Albany/Forth Streets intersection: No entry from Albany Street heading south into Forth Street. This is to reduce vehicle/cyclist and vehicle/pedestrian conflicts at this intersection
• Food trucks: Provide one or two new dedicated food truck spaces to support mobile traders in the area. These would be bookable (with a fee) and have power supply in the future. The space outside the Polytechnic Hub on Union Street could alternatively be for motorcycle parking.

On 25 May 2022, we consulted on a proposed design which suggested a range of changes in the tertiary area, such as:

Connecting Dunedin partners, the DCC and Otago Regional Council (ORC), sought and received public feedback on design concepts for the Albany Street Connection, which will join up existing cycleway infrastructure and improve cycling, walking and public transport access to Dunedin’s tertiary area and the CBD.

The design concepts feature construction of a separated bidirectional cycleway from the Harbour Shared Path – via Minerva Street, Anzac Avenue and Albany Street – connecting with Dunedin’s tertiary area, the CBD, and the existing separated cycle lanes on the city’s one-way system.

The concepts were developed following discussions with key stakeholders, including the University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic, Otago Museum, student representatives (OUSA and OPSA), the disability community and user groups.

Several options for the cycleway connection on Albany Street were looked into and ruled out before landing on this concept. Factors considered included accessibility needs, balancing the needs of different road users, safety, and cost. While there are some elements of the cycleway design we can’t change – for example, complying with certain rules and ensuring the safety of all users – there are other things we can change and we’re keen to get your feedback on these.

• Parking
• Bus stops
• Pedestrian safety

A speed limit reduction in the tertiary area will be consulted on in the following months.

Parking

The construction of a separated cycleway will mean the loss of parking spaces on the northern side of Albany Street and near the Anzac Ave/Minerva Street intersection (approximately 70 spaces). Many of the current parking spaces are paid parking and unrestricted, although some are short term. New bus stops on Union Street and Anzac Avenue will also mean the loss of about 20 parking spaces there. These parks are both time restricted and unrestricted.

To offset the loss of parking spaces on Albany Street, the DCC is proposing to create additional parking on sections of Leith, Clyde and Riego Streets. To create these new parking spaces, the streets (or part of them) will be made one way to allow room for angled parking. To offset the loss of parking spaces on Union Street and Anzac Avenue, the DCC is also proposing to convert bus stops no longer needed on Clyde, Forth and Union Streets into parking spaces.

There will also be some parking restriction changes. Some of the new car parks will be paid parking and time restricted. Some of the existing parking near Union Street and Clyde Street will be made time restricted. This is to offset the loss of paid and restricted parking.

These changes, if implemented, will result in a net reduction of about 25 parking spaces.

Bus route and stop changes

To complement the new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure, the ORC is proposing some changes to bus routes and bus stops in the tertiary area.

The buses will now take a direct route in and out of the University Precinct, using Albany Street and Union Street. Provision is being made for a high-quality bus-interchange centrally located on Union Street in the tertiary area and an existing bus stop on Albany Street will be extended and improved.

A new stop will be constructed on Anzac Avenue outside the stadium, pairing with the existing stop across the road at Logan Park and the bus stop at Logan Park will be extended and improved. The bus stops on Clyde Street, Forth Street and Union St will be removed.

Pedestrian safety

Additional crossing points for pedestrians and traffic calming measures are proposed for Albany Street and some surrounding areas to improve safety and accessibility. We are engaging with the disability community to create an environment that works for all.

Albany Connection concept design for feedback - 2022 consultation

Albany Street Connection 2022 - consultation feedback summary