Changes on way
A major safety upgrade along a notoriously dangerous stretch of Taranaki highway is expected to be confirmed before the end of the year.
But when work will actually begin is still up in the air.
The 12 kilometre section of State Highway 3 between New Plymouth and Waitara includes 12 uncontrolled intersections, three of of which make the country’s 100 most dangerous.
In a written reply to questions New Zealand Transport Agency principal transport planner Simon Barnett said upgrading the highway between Bell Block and Waitara was a priority and a preferred option was expected to be confirmed later this year.
‘‘This current project aims to improve safety, reduce crashes and ease congestion between Waitara and Bell Block,’’ Barnett said.
‘‘The Transport Agency acknowledges that the sooner the safety upgrades are completed, the sooner we can help reduce deaths and serious injuries.
‘‘It is committed to making this route safer so is exploring the possibility of fast tracking some of the more straight forward safety upgrades on the route.’’
Proposed changes include putting in roundabouts at highrisk intersections, changing some intersections so there’s no right turn in or out, adding flexible road safety barriers along the side of the road where the crash risk is high, establishing a consistent speed limit along the highway, widening the road shoulder so drivers have more room to recover if they make a mistake and removing passing lanes.
‘‘We’re also looking at rumble strips on the side and centre of the road to give drivers a wakeup call if they stray out of their lane, as well as making intersec- tions safer with signs, markings and traffic islands,’’ Barnett said.
The agency held two rounds of consultation in the last 18 months, and after further investigation more extensive work is now being planned which would be included in the preferred option.
‘‘Once a preferred option and funding is confirmed construction of the more substantial work will be able to get under way.
‘‘We are exploring the possibility of fast tracking some of the more straightforward safety upgrades on the route.
‘‘This is still under investigation so we are not yet able to provide a timeframe.’’
Barnett said formal land purchasing for the upgrades had not begun but would be part of the detailed design phase which would take place once the final option had been confirmed.
‘‘We have had initial discussions with some land owners that could be affected and will continue to keep these people up to date with progress.’’
He said the agency was saddened by the tragic loss of life from the fatal crashes on the highway and its thoughts were with all of those affected.
‘‘The outcome of the police investigations will be closely examined by NZTA and the findings will be considered while final plans for this section of road are confirmed.’’
Changes have already been made along the highway – right turns out of Bell Block’s Mangati Rd were banned in August 2012 and an 80kmh speed limit at the Princess St site was introduced in January 2013.
In December 2013 an 80kmh speed limit was established between Mangati Rd to Mahoetahi Rd, near Brixton, and two passing lanes along the route were removed to try and combat the crashes.
‘‘This current project aims to improve safety, reduce crashes and ease congestion between Waitara and Bell Block.’’ New Zealand Transport Agency principal transport planner Simon Barnett