Council forced to rethink traffic lights

A decision to install Morrinsville’s first set of traffic lights has been reversed after it was found the actual cost was $105,000 above the original $20,000 estimate.

Matamata-Piako District Council was forced to backtrack on the decision it made in June, to approve the pedestrian controlled lights, which would improve safety on Thames St. Instead, a zebra crossing would be installed there.

Information provided to councillors, by staff, initially showed that the cost for the pedestrian controlled traffic lights was ‘‘likely’’ to be $20,000.

The second option councillors considered was a zebra crossing, estimated at $10,000.

Costs for both options fell short of reality. The lights would cost $125,000 and the zebra crossing, $40,000.

The council had initially been lobbied to improve pedestrian safety along the town’s main road by GreyPower.

The council’s chief executive Don McLeod was reluctant to admit staff provided councillors with incorrect information.

‘‘The original estimates were prepared on limited information at short notice,’’ he said.

Further investigation by qualified consultants enabled more detailed estimates to be prepared, based on a better understanding of options and issues associated with the project.

‘‘The pedestrian crossing estimate was based on the existing alignment,’’ McLeod said.

‘‘The new estimates account for a number of improvement options including a zebra crossing, pedestrian signage, and possibly a realignment of the road instead of an angle to the footpath.’’

A breakdown of the costs for a signal crossing included $40,000 for civil works, traffic management and changes to the parking layout.

The supply and installation of the signal equipment would be $65,000 while $20,000 would be spent on project management.

The council voted in favour of the zebra crossing at the new cost of $40,000.

Councillors Keith Tappin and Paul Cronin thought pedestrian lights would control traffic flow better as well allowing a safe environment for pedestrians and opposed the motion.