Improving road safety at the Albany Heights Road and Wright Road intersection.
Albany Heights Road and Wright Road intersection May 2026 update.
In November 2025, we asked local residents for feedback on our plans for the Albany Heights Road and Wright Road intersection. People shared their ideas, which are listed in the Engagement Summary Report.
Based on your feedback and further investigations, we have created an updated design. This includes:
- Installing new flashing activated “SLOW DOWN” warning signs on both the northbound and southbound approaches of Albany Heights Road to help slow down traffic.
- Painting new “SLOW” road markings with red backings on both the northern and southern approaches of Albany Heights Road to encourage slower driving.
- Adjusting the southbound right-turn lane at the Wright Road intersection so vehicles line up better.
- Installing a “GIVE WAY” for vehicles turning left into Wright Road from Albany Heights Road left-hand turn into Wrights Road intersection to help clarify right of way.
- Trimm vegetation on Albany Heights Road northbound, towards the Wright Road intersection, to improve visibility at this intersection.
A larger drawing showing the updated design can be found to the right of this page labelled Albany Heights Road and Wrights Road Design 2.
We assessed a roundabout option, but it was not considered suitable due to space constraints at the site. To meet the required visibility and layout standards, a roundabout would require purchasing additional land, which would significantly increase project costs and make the project unfeasible.
We also considered speed humps, but they are usually used in urban areas, not on rural roads like Albany Heights Road. Because vehicles travel faster on these roads, speed humps can actually make things less safe by causing sudden braking which can lead to rear-end or loss of control crashes.
The changes are planned for construction in August or September 2026.
We would like to hear your thoughts on the updated design. Please email us at ATengagement@at.govt.nz (ref: Albany Heights Road and Wrights Road) or leave a comment below by 6 June 2026.
Engagement closed.
Engagement for this project has now closed. After receiving community feedback, our project team is revisiting the proposed designs. We intend to re-engage with an updated design in 2026.
About this project
We're upgrading the Albany Heights Road and Wright Road intersection in Albany to improve driver safety. This rural intersection often sees vehicles failing to stop. Safety upgrades will be made to the intersection to encourage vehicles to stop, increase visibility, and help reduce the number of crashes in this area.
The changes we are making March/April 2026
- Realign the existing kerb to ensure Wright Road intersection is perpendicular to Albany Heights Road. This improves visibility and increases overall safety at the intersection.
- Install new white and yellow road markings to clarify right of way and ensure compliance with traffic regulations.
- Install a new traffic island to help direct drivers and provide separation between lanes.
- Install a new mountable apron to allow larger vehicles, like trucks, to drive on it to make turns, while preventing smaller cars from cutting the corner at speed.
- Install a new STOP traffic sign at the entrance of Wright Road intersection to ensure traffic STOPS and gives way to traffic on Albany Heights Road.
A larger drawing showing the changes can be found to the right of this page.
Benefits to your community:
- Encourages drivers to STOP at the intersection.
- Improves visibility and safety for everyone using the road.
- Make the road safer by reducing the risk of vehicles failing to give way at the intersection.
What happens next:
- We will be in touch with residents before any construction takes place.
- Any change to the plan will be updated on our website.
How to contact us:
If you’d like to speak to someone about our plans, please email us at ATEngagement@at.govt.nz or leave us comment below by 3 December 2025.
