Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has secured funding to design safety improvements for State Highway 3 between New Plymouth and Egmont Village.
Close to $2m has been committed to design a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Mangorei Road and SH3, along with safety barrier and an intersection speed zone at Junction Street. The speed limit will also be reviewed on this section of highway.
Waka Kotahi Director of Regional Relationships Emma Speight says the proposed safety improvements, including speed management, are delivering to New Zealand’s Road Safety Strategy, Road to Zero 2020 – 2030. The strategy aims to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads by 40 percent over the next decade.
The design funding comes after Waka Kotahi developed a business case for safety improvements for SH3 between New Plymouth and Hāwera in 2018.
Since completing the business case, Waka Kotahi has been looking to obtain funding for the recommended safety improvements, prioritising the stretch between New Plymouth to Egmont Village due to the high safety risk.
“There have been 163 crashes on this section of the highway since 2010 resulting in 17 serious injuries. During the business case development, we carried out extensive engagement with the community and this was a key area of concern, with many people requesting a roundabout at the Mangorei Road/SH3 intersection.
“It’s great to be in a position where we can progress safety improvements for this busy highway. However, it’s important to note there is a clear distinction between design funding and construction funding. By enabling the project team to get the project designs underway now, we’re in a good position to apply for construction funding in the next National Land Transport Programme,” says Ms Speight.
Waka Kotahi will start engaging with the community and key stakeholders on the proposed improvements shortly and will continue to investigate funding avenues for further improvements for the wider corridor between New Plymouth and Hāwera.
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