The design phase is about to begin on a wire rope median barrier for State Highway One between Otaihanga Road and Kebbell Drive, just south of Waikanae.
Safety improvements, including the one kilometre barrier, are needed because of the large traffic volume and the high number of crashes on this stretch of the main highway, says Rob Whight, State Highways Manager, Wellington, for the NZ Transport Agency.
Local property owners were consulted during the investigation phase, and turn-around facilities will be developed at Otaihanga Road and Kebbell Drive to assist residents who will only be able to left-turn onto SH1once the barrier is constructed. The northbound acceleration lane at the intersection of Otaihanga Road with SH1 will also be lengthened.
Design and construction is expected to cost around $5 million. The safety improvements include a flush median (no barrier) from the end of the wire rope barrier at the Kebbell Drive intersection with SH, to 250 metres south of the Waikanae rail overbridge.
It is intended that pavement widening and barrier installation begin in July next year, and be completed by about June, 2012.
