Public is key to highway’s upgrade

"We will know better after the open days if the speed limit on the road should be restored to 100kmph, or have sections of road with 50kmph, or 80kmph limits."

NZTA transport systems manager Ross l'Anson

An upgrade to one of the region’s most hazardous stretches of highway could happen sooner rather than later depending on public feedback.

State Highway 3, between Bell Block and Waitara, north west of New Plymouth, includes three intersections judged to be among the Top 100 worst performing in the country.

Road authorities have reduced speed limits and removed passing lanes over the past seven to eight years to improve safety.

Further improvements to the 10km section of road are a priority under the Regional Land Transport Plan 2015-2021, but work could be delayed to 2024 due to cost restraints, a Taranaki Regional Council road transport committee meeting was told on Wednesday.

Committee member Harry Duynhoven was critical of the delay, which could stretch out to 2024, in bringing the road up to national standard.

Duynhoven also questioned why a business case was needed when temporary speed limits had become permanent, and the level of services had been reduced over the last eight years.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waikato Bay of Plenty regional director Parekawhia McLean told the meeting a business case was needed before recommendations on improving road safety on the section were considered.

McLean said there was ‘‘no hold up’’ and two public open days were scheduled in Waitara on December 6-7 to review options.

A detailed business case would be put together to determine a short list of options, from which a preferred option would be chosen in early 2018.

NZTA transport systems manager Ross l’Anson said traffic volumes on the road were increasing along with housing development in the area.

Any improvements to road safety would be made for the whole network, not just to improve access ways.

‘‘It is about getting the whole road corridor safe, efficient and resilient,’’ he said.

A funding application would be made for the design and construction, which could bring the start date forward ‘‘considerably’’, he said.

‘‘We will know better after the open days if the speed limit on the road should be restored to 100kmph, or have sections of road with 50kmph, or 80kmph limits,’’ he said.

In other matters the meeting supported a request by NZTA to make a variation to the regional land transport plan, allowing a business case to investigate resurfacing a 12km unsealed section of SH43 between Stratford and Taumarunui.

The business case would cost $280,000 and take three months to complete.

The meeting also heard a new eastern bypass over Mt Messenger is still on track to start in December 2018 with a finish date in 2021.

The 5km route will pass to the east of the existing road and include a bridge and tunnel, and is projected to cost $240 million.

A damaged culvert underneath SH3, near Lake Mangamahoe, will be replaced by a bridge once funding was approved, the meeting was told.

Passenger numbers on bus services in South Taranaki were down from the previous 12 months, the meeting heard.

Patronage dropped by 280, or 25 per cent, on services between Waverley and Ha¯ wera, and by 68, or 36 per cent between Opunake and Ha¯ wera.

South Taranaki District Mayor Ross Dunlop said he would be concerned if services were stopped.

Stratford District Mayor Neil Volske said the downward trend needed to be ‘‘turned around’’, or it will drift further down.