One of Auckland’s most notorious intersections is in line for a makeover to address morning gridlock.

AT is proposing a series of changes to the Devonport chokepoint, with hopes of easing chronic traffic delays along Lake Rd.

The plans target the busy Belmont shops intersection, where confusing lane layouts, pedestrian crossings and merging traffic regularly cause lengthy queues that frustrate locals, often adding more than an hour to their commute.

Residents are being urged to have their say on the proposal, which local politicians say is a long-awaited step towards addressing one of the North Shore’s most persistent transport headaches.

A Devonport local told the Herald the road is almost always busy, but is almost unbearable during peak hours.

He said off-peak he can get into the city in about 20 minutes, but with traffic, it can take up to 90 minutes.

The proposed improvements include a weekday morning clearway, extended merge lanes and upgraded pedestrian crossings aimed at easing traffic bottlenecks on Lake Rd. Photo / Auckland Transport

“Even if you are travelling on it at 5am, there are still streams of navy guys travelling on it.

“But you really have to avoid it anywhere from 2.30pm because of the school traffic caused by Belmont [Primary] and Takapuna Grammar.

“Then there are the usual peak-hour times; you will not meet a local who would not complain about this traffic.”

Lake Rd was one of the most frustrating issues facing residents, North Shore ward councillor John Gillon said, and the upgrade would address the congestion pinch-point.

Auckland councillor Richard Hills said although residents were “disappointed” that funds for Lake Rd improvements were deprioritised through Government budgets, this was a step towards a solution.

North Shore MP Simon Watts said he was on board with the improvements, which would make the community “more resilient”.

A map of the proposed changes. Photo / Auckland Transport

At the busy Belmont Shops intersection, cars heading north toward Takapuna struggled to merge from two lanes back to one lane after the intersection, Auckland Transport (AT) group manager for road network operations, Chris Martin, said.

Confusing layouts, busy pedestrian crossings and cars moving in and out of parking spaces contributed to the congestion, he said, with the lack of merging space leaving cars stopping in the intersection.

The proposed changes would see a short morning clearway added between Bayswater Ave and Egremont St, operating from 7am to 9am during the weekday morning rush.

Martin said this would provide more space for vehicles travelling towards Takapuna to merge safely after the intersection.

“It will help to reduce queues that can spill back through the lights and slow traffic further along Lake Rd,” Martin said.

“We also need clearer lane layouts and road markings, and we’re proposing to improve lane layout and signal operations on Bayswater Ave and Williamson Ave to create clearer, more dedicated traffic lanes through the intersection.”

He said the proposal includes an extension of the lanes before they merge back together on Lake Rd.

The zebra crossing at Williamson Ave would also be removed, Martin said, and would be converted into a signal-operated crosswalk instead.

Residents are being encouraged to have their say on Auckland Transport’s plans for the Belmont shops intersection, with feedback open until June 21. Photo / Auckland Transport

“With so many pedestrians and school kids travelling through the area, these changes will make crossings easier to understand and use, shorten crossing distances, and improve visibility between pedestrians and vehicles,” Martin said.

There are also changes proposed for public transport, moving the bus stop for the 814 route next to the Belmont shops playground to mitigate the “difficult” manoeuvre bus drivers have to make, Martin said.

At the current stop near Elizabeth Dairy, buses must re-enter Williamson Ave by moving in front of waiting vehicles, often stopping in the middle of the intersection.

A new bus stop layover for route 805 on Williamson Ave was also included in the proposal.

AT, councillors and MPs are urging residents to have their say on the proposal at athaveyoursay.govt.nz.

Feedback is open until June 21.

Rachel Maher is an investigative reporter covering Auckland issues and education. She started at the Herald as a breaking news journalist in 2022, before joining the Auckland team this year.