Truckies warned about new roundabout

Truck drivers are being asked to stick to a 30kmh speed limit on a brand new roundabout so they don’t roll over.

The roundabout, on the new Edendale bypass, in Southland, has been open to traffic for several weeks under a 30kmh speed limit as roadworks are completed.

But the NZ Transport Agency has taken out advertisements warning truckies to take it slowly, saying ‘‘even going straight ahead involves changes of direction that could cause heavy vehicles to roll over’’.

Agency senior project manager Jason Forbes said: ‘‘The advertisement was partly in response to a truck driver’s comment on the camber of the roundabout, that once the speed limits were lifted and drivers could go around it at 90kmh, it was only a matter of time before the first truck rollover.

‘‘This came as a surprise given that most professional and trained truck/commercial vehicle drivers do know how to use rural roundabouts, especially when we already have one in Southland at Lorneville.’’

Traffic began using the $15 million bypass yesterday morning, under speed restriction to help the chip bed in properly and so road users could get used to the new road and layout.

The 30kmh temporary speeds would be lifted and the highway either side would be 100kmh once the chip seal is well bedded in place, but Forbes said this did not mean that drivers could circumnavigate this roundabout, or any roundabout, at 100kmh.

‘‘The design speed of all roundabouts is about 30kmh. When entering a roundabout you must slow down and be prepared to give way, entering at a speed that you can stop if required.’’

The realignment bypasses the Edendale township, Fonterra’s Edendale plant and a 50kmh bend affected by heavy traffic and a railway siding. It will move traffic away from a school.

Work began in July last year and was completed ahead of schedule.