Barnes Dance crossings planned as cycle-way project nears completion

Wednesday 12 December 2018 10:02pm

One of two intersections that will be upgraded with the installation of Barnes Dance crossings early next year - at the corner of Albany Street and the one-way South.

Crossing the north-bound and south-bound one-way systems and Albany Street outside the University’s Dunedin campus is set to become safer from early next year – with the installation of Barnes Dance crossings at both of these busy intersections.

The crossings, which allow pedestrians to cross in any direction simultaneously, are part of the State Highway 1 (SH1) one-way system cycle lane project, which is now nearing completion.

Cyclists use one of the new cycle-ways near the University.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) project has been progressing steadily all year, with separated cycle lanes being installed on both one-ways from near the Dunedin Botanic Garden in the north, through to Queens Gardens in the south. Work is now underway on the final 1.2km leg from Albany Street south.

NZTA Project Team Manager Simon Underwood says that with its central city environment with lots of intersections, busy driveways and limited parking, the one-way system is a highly controlled and constrained part of the Dunedin’s highway network.

"The Barnes Dance system that allows all pedestrians to cross at the same time, will increase safety at two intersections widely used by Otago University staff and students."

“This means that detours and closures were never an option during the construction of the cycle lanes, because it’s essential to have both lanes of the highway open during peak travel times.

“The cycle lane design is unique using pre-cast concrete islands to keep cyclists and traffic safely apart, saving both construction time and money. It also enables the lanes to be re-configured if needed at any point in the future.”

The project was driven by a desire to increase safety on these busy roads, following the death of a cyclist on this route in 2011 and another cyclist just a year later.

Mr Underwood says along with the increased safety for cyclists, the Barnes Dance crossings near the University will make pedestrians safer too.

“The Barnes Dance system that allows all pedestrians to cross at the same time, will increase safety at two intersections widely used by Otago University staff and students.”