Franklin Road: The three-year, $20m central Auckland roading project

The end is in sight for what might be Auckland’s most complicated and expensive street upgrade.

Ponsonby’s Franklin Road attracts thousands of visitors a year. It’s home to an annual Christmas light display and is beloved for its scenic, 100-year-old trees..

Lately, the famous street has also become well-known for its construction, orange cones and congestion, which has severely slowed the 14,000 vehicles using the street daily.

Three years after it began, the Franklin Road Upgrade is finally due to finish in October. But for all the years of commotion and disruption, there have been very few complaints. 

READ MORE:Roadworks with no end in sightCycleway for Auckland’s Franklin Rd in major redevelopmentFranklin Rd redevelopment won’t affect Christmas lights: Auckland Transport

THREE YEARS – WHAT’S TAKING SO LONG?

Franklin Road’s monster $21.9 million project involves Auckland Transport, Watercare, Vector, Chorus and Auckland Stormwater.

Auckland Transport’s David Nelson, group manager major projects, said in terms of bespoke design Franklin Road was one of the city’s most complicated ever.

“Given the scale of such a complex project, we appreciate that some disruption for locals was inevitable,” he said.

Auckland Transport’s part of the estimated cost is $16.8m and promises to improve road and footpath quality, drainage damage, stormwater, improve safety.

Watercare’s share is $5.1m, which goes towards a separated wastewater and stormwater system. 

This is to keep wastewater flows down and out of Auckland’s harbours.

WHAT IS BEING DONE?

Auckland Transport said it is using a “dig once” approach, co-ordinating with the other organisations to complete different parts of the project.

The tree roots have damaged the road, footpath and drainage network. Fresh tarmac will smooth these surfaces.

A new roundabout, cycle lanes, parking bays and bus stop is being installed.

A rounded kerb from the footpath will make it easier for people on bikes and vehicles to negotiate. All side streets will have raised speed tables at the same level as the footpaths. 

Wire lighting will hang across the carriageway, supported by poles on either side. The LED lighting will reduce light pollution in residential housing.

Franklin Road, like most old parts of the city, has a shared wastewater and stormwater system, which means when it rains there can be overflow into the Waitematā Harbour.

Watercare is separating the wastewater pipes, reducing overflows to the beaches.

THE RESIDENTS

The Resource Consent conditions restricted work to day-time hours. 

There were also stipulations about working around the extensive tree roots, maintaining access to all businesses, and shutting operations down for the Christmas lights.

Currently, the upgrade is in stage two of construction, which began in August 2017.

Trucks, road works and large holes are blocking the driveways of the street’s villa-dwelling residents.

However, resident Hamish Keith said he had nothing but praise for the way the project had been handled.

“It is totally disruptive, and we can’t get in and out of houses sometimes,” Keith said.

“But we’ve had brilliant communication, the crews enormously helpful. We understand it’s massive work, the improvements are great.

“I believe the reconstruction of Franklin Road will set the standard for Auckland’s infrastructure,” he said. “The noise, you have to grit your teeth and bear.”

The Community Liaison Group (CLG), which represents residents and key stakeholders, is fully supportive of the project’s progress.

“I think some people are being a little unrealistic to think that the project, which was a three-year job, would be perfectly functional during its construction,” chairman Ross Thorby said.

Waitematā Local Board chairwoman Pippa Coom said she has had no complaints about the construction work.

“I think there is a general understanding and acceptance that it is a complicated project involving a lot of work so there is going to be some inconvenience,” she said.

SAFETY CONCERNS

A Franklin Road business owner said he had concerns for the top of the road, criticising it for unsafe, uneven footpaths and road surfaces.

At the top – near Ponsonby Road – the tarmac is on a slant that joins a heightened footpath and the road. 

Signs and cones direct pedestrians onto the roadway in several places.

“Cyclists aren’t commonplace on Franklin Road, but the area is well frequented by Lime scooters,” he said.

“The cycle lanes are dangerous, especially when parking vehicles have to cross the cycle lane when pulling into parks.

“They open car doors into the bike lane also.”

Bike Auckland’s Bruce Copeland agrees the top part near Ponsonby Rd has difficult riding conditions at the moment.

“It comes down to everyone riding a bit slower,” Copeland said.

“Originally residents were saying it was going to be dangerous because of reversing out of their driveways. But this has been resolved.”

Auckland Transport spokesperson Mark Hannan said there was still a top seal to go on this part of Franklin Road, which would lift the road.

“The top seal and marking are the last jobs to be done. The road has already been completed by the New World and the rest of the street will be to the same standard.”

BUSINESSES AFFECTED

Employees at Franklin Road Music and Sound said they had been directly affected by the “never-ending” roadworks.

Owner Jonathan Mihaljevich said he agreed the infrastructure upgrade was essential but said AT’s communication was “dysfunctional” and did not acknowledge the needs of businesses.

Flowers Of Franklin, near Ponsonby Rd, said the roadworks have been “annoying”.

New World, at the Victoria Park end, said it had been a challenging and extremely frustrating couple of months for surrounding businesses, stores and customers.

“Our customers are extremely loyal and have been very patient with us during this time, and the good news for everyone is that it’ll all be over soon,” a spokeswoman said.

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