Roadworks to get ready for new fire station

LISA HONEYBONE

The wheels are finally in motion for the new Takapuna fire station as roadworks begin in preparation for the new site.

Construction began on the corner of Wairau Rd and Currys Lane on January 9 and is expected to take until the first week of February.

Plans to relocate the station from its Killarney St base have been in the pipeline for more than a decade but the process has taken longer than expected.

Auckland Transport communications manager Sharon Hunter says the Wairau Rd/Archers Rd intersection needs upgrading so fire engines can get safe access to the proposed station.

There will be a realignment of the left turn from Archers Rd into Wairau Rd, she says.

There will also be a free left turn from Wairau Rd into Currys Lane.

Wairau Rd sees around 1600 vehicles during peak hours.

Ms Hunter says no physical changes are proposed to traffic lanes along Wairau Rd but the traffic signals will be modified.

"This will allow the fire station staff to trigger an all red display for the traffic lights, she says.

"The all red display stops all traffic on all road approaches and enables the fire trucks to exit the station via a new vehicle crossing onto Wairau Rd."

Ms Hunter says traffic signals and pedestrian crossings will be adjusted.

Ms Hunter says the New Zealand Fire Service has contributed towards the $170,000 project.

The station on Killarney St near Lake Pupuke has been a Fire Service base since the 1950s.

It is moving north to keep up with the Shore'sgrowth.

- © Fairfax NZ News