14 February 2012

NZTA to unveil SH16 safety improvements for Waimauku

The Waimauku community will have the chance to respond to the NZ Transport Agency’s plans to upgrade the intersection of State Highway 16 and Muriwai and Waimauku Station Roads when the design of a proposed roundabout is revealed at a public information day on Thursday, 23 February.

“The roundabout is an important development for the community improving safety for both road users and pedestrians,” says the NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Auckland and Northland, Tommy Parker. “Although we are at the design stage of this project, we still want to hear the community’s views to ensure we have got things right to deliver a solution that satisfies everyone.”

Mr Parker acknowledged that the community has already been actively involved during the project’s consultation stage and its feedback had helped the NZTA decide to replace the current crossroad with the roundabout.

Mr Parker says the roundabout will reduce crashes at the intersection, improve traffic flows at peak times, and improve safer pedestrian access for Waimauku School students and the local community.

“The roundabout will improve safety for all road users,” Mr Parker says. “Vehicle speed will be reduced at the intersection and traffic islands will provide refuge for pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross SH16.

The planned improvements followed earlier community consultation when over 130 local residents and stakeholders attended a series of information days and provided feedback on three initial options.
The majority of those who took part identified the roundabout design as the preferred option.

“It’s that debate with the community that we want to continue at the public information day,” Mr Parker says.

People will have the opportunity to speak to the project team and provide further feedback. Their feedback will help the NZTA finalise planning documents which will be lodged with Auckland Council for obtaining the Alteration of the Highway Designation and Resource Consents.

The public information day will be held on Thursday 23 February from 4.00pm-7.00pm at the Full Moon Café, 6 Factory Road, Waimauku Village.

Construction of the roundabout is tentatively scheduled for 2015/16 in the NZTA’s draft State Highway Plan and the expected cost of the project is $2.8M.

The Waimauku project will be the latest in a series of NZTA improvements along SH16, including the Taupaki Road intersection upgrade and replacement of the Punganui Bridge.

ENDS

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