The intersection of State Highway 3 and Raynes Road, between Rukuhia and Hamilton, has been identified as high-risk. We’re looking at options to make it safer, to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on this road.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is committed to Vision Zero, a vision for Aotearoa New Zealand where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads.
Everyone should get where they’re going safely whether they’re walking, cycling, driving, motorcycling or using public transport.
The intersection of State Highway 3 and Raynes Road has been identified as high-risk and can be made safer.
The safety improvements are being delivered as part of Road to Zero, New Zealand’s road safety strategy. Safe speed limits and infrastructure improvements will save lives and reduce the number of people seriously injured on this road.
Between 2011 and 2021, there have been 30 crashes at this intersection resulting in one death, five people seriously injured and twelve others with minor injuries. The majority of these crashes are caused by motorists turning right onto SH3 from Raynes Road.
We have investigated options and determined a roundabout is the best approach to improving safety at this intersection.
Waka Kotahi secured funding from the 2021-24 National Land Transport Programme to progress site investigations and engagement to complete the detailed design of the proposed safety improvements.
We are engaging with Ngāti Wairere as mana whenua, tangata whenua who have an interest in the area, key stakeholders, landowners and road user groups, seeking input from local businesses and are committed to keeping the community and local businesses updated throughout this project.
We are aiming to have the design phase complete by mid-2023, after which we will apply for consents under the Resource Management Act and construction funding. Construction is intended to start in 2024, subject to completing the design phase, obtaining consents and securing funding. The total cost estimate for the project is around $8 million.
As an interim safety measure an intersection speed zone (ISZ) has been installed.
The ISZ detects when traffic is approaching Raynes Road on SH3 and temporarily reduces the speed limit on the highway to 60kmh from 80kmh.
Every day people make mistakes on the road and there are things we can do to make it safer.
To make the SH3/Raynes Rd intersection safer, we’re proposing the following:
The project will also include improved stormwater management, including stormwater raingardens that will naturally filter stormwater runoff from the surrounding area before it reaches the Waikato River.
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Key milestones |
Timing |
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Feasibility study |
Completed early 2022 |
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Detailed design funding application and approval |
Completed mid-2022 |
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Mana whenua, stakeholder, landowner and community consultation on the proposed safety improvements |
October 2022 – mid-2023 |
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Detailed design completed. Apply for construction funding from National Land Transport Programme 2021 – 2024 |
Mid-2023 |
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Construction funding confirmed |
To be confirmed |
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Construction begins – if funding confirmed |
To be confirmed |
