Completion of the $4.4 million upgrade of SH5, Fairy Springs Road will improve safety and reduce congestion along the route, the NZ Transport Agency says.
Improvements to the 1.2 km urban section of road include four-laning the highway, adding two new sets of traffic lights to better control traffic flow to and from side roads, and building a new shared access for the Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park and Skyline Rotorua New Zealand tourist attractions.
Completion of the project was brought forward by several months as part of the government’s Jobs and Growth economic stimulus package, and Transport Minister Steven Joyce joined the NZTA in Rotorua today to mark the occasion.
In line with the government’s safer system approach to improve road safety, power lines were placed underground, reducing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Safety improvements also include the addition of cycling lanes and advanced waiting areas for cyclists at traffic lights, new pedestrian footpaths with safer crossings points at the signalised crossings, and a raised island to separate traffic flows with gaps to provide access to side roads.
Harry Wilson, the NZ Transport Agency’s (NZTA) Regional Director, says the project is a good example of how multiple agencies can work together to achieve a shared result.
"As well as government funding via the NZTA, the local energy trust (Rotorua Trust) contributed $0.25M to place the power lines underground and the Rotorua District Council contributed $300,000 to update other services, such as stormwater."
Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winter says the project makes this section of Fairy Springs Road consistent with the rest of the urban highway which was upgraded in the 1990s.
"The reduction in congestion and improved road safety will make a big difference for local commuters, public transport users, freight operators and visitors to Rotorua."
Mr Wilson acknowledged the delays suffered by road users at times during the construction and thanked them for their patience and cooperation.
