Improving intersection safety on Sunset Road, Sunnynook
Engagement outcome
Thank you to everyone who reached out to us to ask questions and provide their insights about the planned changes to the intersections.
After careful consideration, we are proceeding with the project as planned.
Raw supportive comments from the community
- "Don't argue. Implement it immediately!"
- "This intersection is dangerous and traffic lights are much needed."
- "This is a smart idea there have been many accidents in this area as it’s very dangerous at present."
- "Traffic lights are important here, especially for the people living on 232 sunset road side and people coming from Sycamore Drive."
- "...any improvements here would be most welcome and are genuinely needed!"
Below is the summary of the insights and comments we received and our response to them:
Traffic Signal vs Roundabout
- Request to signalise Ramp Rd-Sunset Rd intersection
- Request for roundabouts instead of traffic signalised intersection
Our response
This project is part of Auckland Transport’s Road Safety Programme, which prioritises locations with the highest risk of death and serious injury crashes. Based on Waka Kotahi’s Crash Analysis System (CAS) records from 2020 to 2024, Sunset Road and Sycamore Drive intersection has nine reported crashes, seven of them were injury crashes (including one serious and six minor). Ramp Road and Sunset Road intersection, has seven reported crashes during the same period and were non-injury.
Given this data, we have identified Sunset Road / Sycamore Drive as a higher risk location needing more improvements to reduce the likelihood of serious crashes and enhance safety.
Some minor improvements are proposed at Ramp Road to support overall safety and traffic flow. However, given the lower crash risk at this location, more extensive upgrades, such as signalisation or roundabouts, have not been prioritised at this stage.
Roundabouts were also considered during our investigation, however, they are generally less pedestrian and cycle friendly and will likely limit future options at Ramp Road.
Furthermore, the planned signals at Sycamore Drive will create gaps in traffic which will likely help Ramp Road traffic to turn on to Sunset Road.
Congestion
- Concern that cars wanting to turn left to Sycamore Dr from Sunset Rd could bypass planned traffic lights by driving through the driveway access
Our response
The driveway access is approximately 5 metres wide, with parking allowed on one side, which narrows the available spaces for traffic flow. This narrow width is expected to keep vehicle speeds very low on the service lane. Additionally, drivers must give way at the western end before turning left onto Sycamore Drive. Based on these factors, any time saved by using the service lane to bypass the traffic signal would be minimal. Therefore, it is unlikely that drivers will use the driveway access to bypass the signals. We will continuously monitor this situation, once the signals are installed.
- Concern that adding lights to Sunset Rd will result in domino effect of congestion happening in Constellation Drive
Our response
Although the proposed changes at the Ramp Road / Sunset Road intersection are minor, a model simulation result indicates that the queue length on Ramp Road would be shorter than the current situation. The signals at Sycamore Drive will create gaps in traffic which will likely help Ramp Road traffic to turn on to Sunset Road. Therefore, it is unlikely that the proposed signals at Sunset Road/ Sycamore Drive intersection will cause further delays on Constellation Drive.
- Concern that traffic lights will cause more congestion
Our response
A model simulation has been carried out for the planned changes, the result of the model indicates that the intersection will operate satisfactorily within the guidelines of Auckland network operating plan.
Parking issues
- Request for angled parking on the green island on Sycamore Drive
Our response
The removal of parking spaces on Sycamore Drive is necessary to support safe and efficient vehicle movements, particularly for vehicles turning in and out of the street. This is based on traffic modelling and vehicle tracking assessments, which identified the minimum parking removal required to maintain intersection efficiency and ensure adequate turning clearance.
Our site observations indicate that Sycamore Drive and Sunset Road are commonly used for commuter parking due to their proximity to the Constellation Bus Station. Our night-time survey has confirmed that there is ample on-street parking available for residents. Based on this, the suggestion to add additional parking spaces on the green island is not considered justified at this stage.
- Request for broken yellow lines on top of Sycamore Dr extending all the way to Laurina Dr
Our response
The primary objective of this project is to improve safety and traffic operations at the Sunset Road and Sycamore Drive intersection, which has been identified as a high-risk location within the network. The planned parking removal on Sycamore Drive is necessary to ensure safe and efficient vehicle movements in and out of the street, based on traffic modelling and vehicle tracking assessments.
Parking is a valuable community asset, and therefore Auckland Transport removes parking only where it is necessary to ensure safety is not compromised. Whilst we accept that vehicles parked on the road can often be an inconvenience and problematic at times, there is a need to provide a balance between safety and the parking requirements of local residents.
- Suggestion to build multi-storey parking at the bus station to resolve congestion issues due to vehicles parked on the road
Our response
This suggestion to build multi-storey parking building does not fall within the scope of this project. Our model simulation for the planned changes indicated that the intersection will operate satisfactorily and improve traffic flow on Sycamore Drive.
Crossing
- Request for a crossing on Sunset Road, between Juniper Rd and Ramp Rd to safely access the bus stop
Our response
This request does not fall within the scope of this project. We have forwarded this to the relevant team for further investigation and have created a case: CAS-1184551-H7W5J1
- Request to not install any raised crossing or intersection to avoid slow down of traffic and vibrations
Our response
We can confirm that there will be no raised crossing or any raised element to the planned changes in the intersection.
Bike Lane
- Suggestion to have safe bike lanes to address the dangerous cycling conditions along Sunset Rd towards Totaravale
Our response
We appreciate this suggestion and created a case on your behalf. We have forwarded this to the relevant team for further investigation and have created a case: CAS-1184545-K4W8C1
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Engagement closed
The engagement for this project has now closed. We will inform the community about the engagement outcome soon.
About the project
We're making safety improvements at the intersections of Sycamore Drive and Ramp Road with Sunset Road in Sunnynook.
The project aims to make walking, cycling and driving safer, so everyone gets to where they need to and home safely.
The changes we’re making
- Install new traffic lights and controlled crossings at Sunset Road and Sycamore Drive intersection
- Upgrade crossings on each approach to Sunset Road and Sycamore Drive intersection that will include wider footpaths, pram crossings and advance cycle boxes
- Install tactile pavers which are yellow guidance markers at the crossing points to help vision impaired people cross the road safely
- Reconstruct driveways near the intersection of Sunset Road and Sycamore Drive to make way for the planned changes
- Re-allocate road space by removing 5 parking spaces on Sycamore Drive to clear access and improve visibility
- Install new traffic islands to improve traffic flow at Sunset Road and Ramp Road intersection
- Upgrade existing pram crossings at the Ramp Road and Sunset Road intersection
Benefits to your community:
- Safer for Everyone: New traffic lights and traffic light controlled crossings will improve safety for all road users by reducing the chance of crashes and near misses at the intersection.
- Better Traffic Flow: Traffic lights will help manage busy roads, reducing congestion and making it easier for vehicles to move through the area.
- Family-Friendly Design: Widened footpaths, ramps for prams or mobility scooters, and other upgrades will make it easier for families to get around.
- Better for the Community: With schools, parks, and shops nearby, the changes will create safer routes for the community.
- Improved Road Use: Re-allocating road space on Sycamore Drive will provide clear access at the intersection and reduce queueing. This will allow vehicles to turn more easily and safely.
What happens next
Any change to the plan will be updated on this page.
We will be in touch with the local residents and businesses prior to any construction taking place.
How to contact us
If you'd like to speak to someone about our plans, please email us at ATengagement@at.govt.nz(External link) by 10 August 2025.
Feel free to share your local insights or if there's anything we've missed in our comment box below.
