Changes considered for Otaihanga/SH 1 intersection

Several proposals to upgrade the Otaihanga/State Highway 1 intersection north of Paraparaumu will be considered over the next few weeks.

A joint meeting of representatives of Transit, Police, Kapiti Coast District Council, and the Land Transport Safety Authority on Tuesday proposed enhancing signage around the intersection and installing audible centre line markings which are being used successfully in other areas.

“Audible centre lines have ridges on them which when driven over, vibrate the vehicle. This makes the motorist more aware of the centre line and should discourage them from cutting the corner as they drive through the intersection,” said Transit Wellington Regional Office road safety engineer Stanley Chesterfield.

“These enhancements can be made in the next few weeks and are expected to generally improve the safety of the intersection.

“A medium term proposal is to lengthen the northbound left turn exit from State Highway 1 onto Otaihanga Road.”

Mr Chesterfield said this modification would enhance the sight lines for traffic turning right from Otaihanga Road onto State Highway 1, as well as improve vision for drivers turning right into Otaihanga Road from the highway.

“The costings for this will need to be refined but that modification could be carried out in the next few months.”

“The real, long-term solution, everyone agreed, is a fully grade separated intersection but the timing of this would be some way in the future,” said Mr Chesterfield.

“We also agreed to explore the process required to see if there is justification for lowering the speed limit through the Otaihanga intersection to 80kph but will look at this more fully when the nearby Lindale interchange is completed.”

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