Feedback call on turnoff warning
THE NZ Transport Agency is asking for feedback on an electronic warning system — and a ‘‘variable speed limit’’ of 70kmh — for the intersection of State Highway 1 and the Moeraki Boulders access road.
In a statement, NZTA Southern business unit manager Ian Duncan said a rural intersection active warning system at the intersection could detect when a car on SH1 ‘‘approaches the right turn bay, or there is a vehicle waiting to turn right on to the highway from the Moeraki Boulders Rd’’ and would trigger an electronic sign to lower the speed limit temporarily.
Previously, road markings were changed and ‘‘keep left’’ arrows were painted on either side of the intersection and signs for the tourist stop were moved closer to the intersection.
The safety improvements came after a 39yearold Chinese woman, identified by police as Miss Li, was killed in a threecar crash on November 22 last year and the local community and the Waitaki District Council called for safety improvements on the busy stretch of road in North Otago.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher called the proposal ‘‘another step to making that area safer’’, but said he expected more safety improvements would be required for the road.
‘‘Time will tell,’’ Mr Kircher said.
‘‘I think we’ve made some good gains and it’s just such a pity that these things have to happen after we’ve had deaths and injuries — that is the very sad bit.
‘‘If there are no more incidents, then that would be . . . fantastic.’’
Miss Li’s death last November was the fifth death in two years recorded on SH1 near the tourist hot spot.
Waihemo ward Waitaki district councillor Jan Wheeler, a 35year Moeraki area resident, called for more to be done.
Lowered speed limits should be introduced from Shag Point to Herbert ‘‘because there are so many variables on this stretch of road that strangers aren’t aware of’’.
Shortly after the crash, Moeraki resident Jane Carlyon said exiting the village of Moeraki, 1.1km away from the boulders turnoff, felt like playing ‘‘Russian roulette’’.
And yesterday, the former community board member said it was a ‘‘pity’’ only the one turnoff had been addressed.
Yesterday’s NZTA announcement noted the speed restriction would apply 170m either side of Moeraki Boulders Rd.
An NZ Transport Agency spokeswoman said a ‘‘major safety assessment’’ of the intersection had been conducted: the warning system had already been ordered by the agency and would probably be installed by the end of April.
Waitaki district council road safety coordinator Elton Crane reported to the council’s assets committee on February 1 a ‘‘non-scientific observation’’ was made by the NZTA and council staff on January 19, when, between 1.15pm and 2.30pm, 429 vehicles were counted on the highway and 44.3%, or 190 vehicles, turned off the highway on to Moeraki Boulders Rd.
Feedback on the proposal can be made in writing to: The Senior Safety Engineer, NZ Transport Agency, PO Box 5245, Dunedin 9058, or emailed to SpeedLimitOtgoSthlnd@nzta.govt.nz by April 7.