The NZ Transport Agency will be undertaking work over the next few days to replace the two passing lanes on State Highway 3 near Big Jim’s Garden Centre with wide shoulders and a wide centreline to improve safety for road users.
Regional highways manager David McGonigal says the passing lanes were closed late last year using ‘safe hit’ posts in conjunction with the temporary speed limit reduction.
“This stretch of highway has been host to a frightening number of crashes. By discouraging people from speeding up to overtake in what we know is a high-risk corridor, we will reduce the risk of people losing control and potentially getting killed or becoming seriously injured.”
Mr McGonigal says wider shoulders and centreline will also make the road more forgiving by allowing more room for drivers to correct themselves if they make an error. This will help to reduce the risk of head on collisions or crashes arising from driving off the road. The wider shoulder will also give cyclists more breathing space, making it safer for all road users.
Mr McGonigal says the Transport Agency is working with its partners as it looks into other measures to improve safety on this busy stretch of highway, such as potential roading improvements and making the 80km/h speed limit permanent.
“To create a safer transport system, we need to target several crucial elements in harmony - safer speeds, safer roads and roadsides, safer drivers and safer vehicles. Road safety is a shared responsibility, and while we continue to explore measures to keep people safe, we urge drivers to watch their speeds and drive with care.”.
For more information please contact:
Anthony Frith
Media Manager – Central
NZ Transport Agency
T: 04 894 5251
M: 027 213 7617
E: anthony.frith@nzta.govt.nz
