Matamata roads under review
The wheels are turning to help create safer, smoother highways in Matamata.
Matamata-Piako Mayor Jan Barnes met with members of New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to go over strategies for improving the state highways in Matamata and Waharoa and the greater Matamata-Piako.
‘‘The national roads have not been acceptable,’’ she said. ‘‘I demanded they come out. ‘‘I have been vocal, my community might not always see that. We are doing a whole lot of work.’’
Barnes met with NZTA Waikato Transport System Manager, Karen Boyt and regional relationships central North Island director Parekawhia McLean.
They discussed the stretch along Broadway outside Broadway Motel, which have caused issues for guests who are woken by rattling caused by heavy, speeding trucks.
Barnes said she took Boyt and McLean to the intersection joining Hopkins Road and SH29, which has been an crash hot spot, as well as areas of Mangawhero Rd and Waharoa.
‘‘We have triggers and issues at the end of Hopkins Road.
‘‘We looked at Waharoa, it looks unloved and the trucks need a place to pull off,’’ said Barnes. ‘‘We can’t see when people are crossing from the fruit shop to the toilets. I am saying there is a safety issue.
‘‘We have a lot of trucks I know, But we expect a level of service.’’
The possibility of a crossing at the top end of Firth St was also on the table and making the crossing near Matamata College more visible.
‘‘We have tasked NZTA to go to their engineers and tell us how they can solve some of these issues, said Barnes.
‘‘Matamata-Piako has been patient and I think I have pushed as hard as I can. I see these people at meetings regularly and I will be publicly asking where we are at.
‘‘The pedal to the metal will not come off.’’
Barnes said work on the 200 metre stretch on Broadway is under NZTA’s current and soon to be former contractor.
They will be re-sealing the whole piece of Broadway in February, under the new contractor Civil Engineering company Higgins Contractors.
‘‘When I see what is happening around the district, I am delighted,’’ she said.
‘‘I think we are going to be well served.’’