Flexible SH2 barriers and a Katikati roundabout
Major works are progressing towards constructing a roundabout on State Highway 2 at the intersection of Rea Road and Tetley Road, near Katikati.
The work will be carried out in stages and will take around four months to complete.
Meanwhile, SH2 between Waihī and Ōmokoroa is set to install flexible median barriers and upgrades to six intersections between Tetley Road and Esdaile Road.
Waka Kotahi, Director of Regional Relationships David Speirs, says most deaths and injuries can be avoided by making relatively simple yet effective changes to this section of road.
“There are many reasons crashes happen, and we need a mix of solutions that all work together to keep people safe. We need everyone to make safe choices, in safe vehicles, on safe roads, and travel at safe speeds.
“Work to improve this 40km corridor has been underway since 2019, including road and shoulder widening, installing a wide centreline, roadside safety barriers in high-risk areas, and intersection improvements. The safety of the road will now be boosted further with the addition of the new safety improvements, which are part of our Road to Zero strategy.
“We know there is a lot to do across this stretch of SH2, and we cannot do it all at once. This rapidly growing region is undergoing significant investment, and it will take us time to implement all that is needed.
“It is great to have confirmed funding for this additional infrastructure that will undoubtedly save lives and build on the work being done along this corridor, and we know this is already making a difference to local people,” says Mr Speirs.
“The reason the flexible median barrier is important along this stretch is that head-on crashes make up 32 per cent of the deaths and serious injuries on SH2. Flexible median barriers are the safest barrier if someone hits them. If something goes wrong, flexible barriers will catch the vehicle and prevent a crash into an on-coming vehicle, says Mr Speirs.
“Our modelling tells us that installing flexible median barrier will reduce these sad and avoidable events by a massive 72 per cent,” he says.
Before the end of February, people will start to see activity at the Rea Road/Tetley Road intersection, south of Katikati. A roundabout will be constructed here and is part of the original project scope. This will be a four-leg, 38m diameter with slow vehicle passing bays on the exits of SH2 north and south.
“Constructing a roundabout on an operational highway is a challenging task. We will keep traffic moving, although there will be some inconvenience,” says Mr Speirs.
As part of this work, a section of Tetley Road, including the SH2 intersection, will be closed between SH2 and Rereatukahia Pā Road for approximately eight weeks between mid-February and mid-April 2022. People wanting to access Tetley Road during this time will detour through Marshall Road in Katikati. The route will be signposted, and additional travel time is estimated to be one to two minutes.
A second roundabout at the Morton Road intersection is in the design stage, and construction is expected to begin mid-2022. The team is now working through programming for the remaining roundabouts at Sharp Road, Lockington/Matahui Roads, Apata Station Road and Esdaile/Pahoia Roads.
The inclusion of a flexible median barrier was proposed early on as a safety enhancement to the current widening works and has undergone several stages of public consultation.
“We have heard the underlying concern from residents around journey inconvenience, as well as feedback about how much safer they now feel because of the widening works.
“A median barrier will mean people may not be able to make a right turn from their driveways or side road. Yes, this is inconvenient, although safety for everyone remains our priority,” says Mr Speirs.