The Hibiscus Coast community continues to benefit from an innovative traffic solution on Whangaparāoa Road, with a dynamic lane system helping over 25,000 vehicles travel efficiently each day.

Since its installation in 2018, the dynamic lane has utilised the median strip as an additional lane during peak hours, saving commuters up to ten minutes daily despite the area’s growing population.

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board Chair Alexis Poppelbaum described the system as a crucial improvement.

“Whangaparāoa Road is a vital link for our community. By continuously investigating improvements, it eases traffic and ultimately gets our people to their destination quickly and safely.”

To further enhance these benefits, Auckland Transport (AT) plans to extend the dynamic lane’s morning operating hours, addressing early congestion.

“We’ve noticed this road often gets busy early in the morning, so they are maximising the existing road space to save commuters precious time,” Poppelbaum added.

Looking ahead to the new year, AT intends to engage with the community about extending the lane’s operational hours in the afternoon.

Albany Ward Councillor John Watson emphasised the significance of optimising current infrastructure.

“Despite our region’s growing population, the time savings for commuters show the value of prioritising smarter use of our roads before committing to new developments,” Watson said.

“Dynamic laning has been a real success in reducing congestion on Whangaparāoa; this type of innovative thinking is cost-effective and relatively quick to implement.”

This initiative is part of a broader effort by AT and the NZ Transport Agency to incorporate new technology and road improvements, ensuring Auckland’s transport network can accommodate tens of thousands of additional vehicles each year.

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