Auckland Transport Proposes Changes to Tackle Devonport's Lake Road Bottleneck

Auckland Transport (AT) is proposing significant changes to the congested Belmont Shops intersection on Lake Road, a notorious traffic choke point in Devonport. These improvements aim to alleviate chronic delays and improve safety for commuters and residents on the North Shore.

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Auckland Transport (AT) has put forward a plan to reconfigure the busy Belmont Shops intersection on Lake Road, a critical artery connecting Devonport and Bayswater to the wider North Shore. This junction is notoriously plagued by gridlock, where confusing lane layouts, short merge lanes, and busy pedestrian movements frequently cause lengthy delays for motorists, extending commutes by over an hour during peak times, according to the NZ Herald on June 3, 2026.

The proposed improvements are designed to directly target these issues. Key changes include implementing a weekday morning clearway between Bayswater Avenue and Egremont Street, operating from 7am to 9am, to create more space for vehicles merging towards Takapuna. Additionally, AT plans to extend merge lanes, clarify lane layouts and road markings, and enhance signal operations at Bayswater Avenue and Williamson Avenue. The zebra crossing at Williamson Avenue will be replaced with a signal-operated crosswalk to improve pedestrian safety and clarity, particularly for the many school children in the area, as detailed by AT's official statements.

North Shore Ward Councillor John Gillon highlighted that Lake Road's congestion is one of the most frustrating issues for local residents. Auckland Councillor Richard Hills acknowledged that while residents were previously disappointed by the deprioritisation of broader Lake Road funding, these specific improvements for the Belmont Shops intersection are a positive step. North Shore MP Simon Watts also voiced support, emphasizing that these changes would contribute to a 'more resilient' community, as reported by AT's media centre.

For Filipino commuters and families residing on Auckland's North Shore, these proposed upgrades hold significant implications. Improved traffic flow at this bottleneck could translate to shorter travel times for work, school, and essential errands, alleviating daily frustrations and enhancing connectivity to crucial services and community hubs. Local businesses in the Belmont area, including Filipino-owned enterprises, may also benefit from better accessibility for customers and deliveries, potentially boosting local trade and economic activity as the project aims to make better use of existing road space, according to Auckland Transport.

This initiative is part of AT’s Network Optimisation Programme, focusing on quicker, lower-cost improvements that leverage existing infrastructure with less disruption than large-scale road upgrades. Residents and stakeholders are strongly encouraged to provide their input on the proposal, with the feedback period closing on June 21, 2026, via the Auckland Transport 'Have Your Say' platform.