FAQs
- Vehicles with two or more people (carpoolers)
Heavy vehicles (such as freight trucks)
Buses
Motorcycles
Cyclists
Emergency services
Why are you introducing T2/heavy vehicle lanes?
These lanes improve travel time reliability for buses, freight and people carpooling, while helping to future-proof the corridor as Mount Wellington continues to grow. These will help to provide reliable travel options for people. Around 4,500 people each weekday are expected to benefit.
Who can use the T2/Heavy Vehicle lanes?
How this might affect you
If you drive, you will be able to use the new T2/Heavy Vehicle lanes if you are carpooling with at least one other person. Otherwise, you will need to stay in the existing general traffic lanes during peak hours. The proposed lanes would operate from 4 pm to 7 pm only.
If you work or live nearby, parking will continue to be available outside of the afternoon peak times. Some minor changes to parking and bus stop locations are proposed to improve safety and access.
How will these transit lanes save time?
People in buses, freight vehicles and carpooling will see improvements. By encouraging more efficient travel, these changes reduce pressure on the road over time, as more people have alternative travel options which get them where they want to go on time.
Will this remove a traffic lane?
On Mt Wellington Highway and Sylvia Park Road, for half of the route, a general traffic lane will be repurposed for the T2/Heavy Vehicle lane. The T2/heavy vehicle lanes will replace parking lanes for the other half of the route. A general traffic lane will remain in each direction.
What about traffic during the morning peak?
Our latest traffic heatmaps show us that congestion on these roads is mainly a problem in the afternoon and evening. However, there was an opportunity in our survey for you to tell us your experience with congestion outside of the afternoon/evening peak.
Will the opening of IKEA make congestion worse?
Traffic volumes are expected to rise when IKEA opens in December 2025. That’s why these changes are being recommended to help manage future growth and keep people and goods moving.
Why aren’t you implementing this before IKEA opens?
We are working to ensure construction works are planned in alignment with IKEA opening, to minimise disruption to the network.
The changes can’t be implemented before IKEA opens because they required public consultation. That process only recently concluded, and the plan was just approved by the Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board in August 2025.
AT is now preparing to implement the changes, which include T2/heavy vehicle lanes, afternoon clearways, and upgrades to bus stops and pedestrian crossings. These are part of a wider Auckland Network Optimisation Programme focused on cost-effective improvements.
Implementation is scheduled to begin in early 2026.
How will the lanes be enforced?
Permanent cameras will be installed to make sure the T2/heavy vehicle lanes are used correctly.
Why is there a clearway on Panama Road?
The clearway will help reduce queuing and improve the flow of vehicles heading towards Mt Wellington Highway, especially during the evening peak.
What’s happening at the Clemow Drive roundabout?
We are making small changes to lane markings to improve safety and reduce merging issues. These changes also align with conditions required under IKEA’s resource consent.
Will parking be removed?
Yes, some parking spaces will be repurposed to create the T2/heavy vehicle lanes during the operating hours. Outside Mt Richmond Superette, three spaces will be converted to short-stay (P30) parking to better support local businesses.