One of Hamilton’s busiest intersections is about to become a lot safer with traffic signals being switched on this week.
The intersection of State Highway 1-Kahikatea Drive at Gallagher Drive and Quentin Drive has been widened and traffic lights installed in a jointly funded project which will make it easier and safer for vehicles to turn in and out of both side roads.
It will also provide safe crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists.
The project is funded by the Transport Agency and six co-funders.
Acting Waikato Highway Manager Niclas Johansson says their contributions mean the improvements could be made earlier than planned.
“The co-funding makes this a very special project for us and we are delighted with the outcome. Putting traffic signals at this intersection will improve safety for all transport modes especially vehicles coming and going from Gallagher Drive and Quentin Drive, as well as pedestrians and cyclists crossing Kahikatea Drive,” Mr Johansson says.
“Kahikatea Drive is getting increasingly busy and it is getting harder for side-road traffic at this intersection to turn in and out, especially at peak times.’’
Gallagher, Bunnings Warehouse and Hamilton City Council are part-funders in the project.
Gallagher Group has its headquarters on Kahikatea Drive, and Bunnings Warehouse is building a new store across the road on Quentin Drive. Other funders are NZ Dairy Goat Co-operative, Waikato Tractors and Sir Patrick Hogan.
Gallagher spokesperson Margaret Comer says the company is looking forward to the intersection improvements.
“This is a sensible and logical development and can only improve the traffic and pedestrian flow along this extremely busy road. So we are delighted to see the project wrapping up and the lights being turned on.”
The controlled crossing provides a link across the state highway for shared paths in the city’s southeast to the soon-to-be-built Western Rail Trail which runs into the city.
Weather permitting the lights are expected to be switched on Wednesday or Thursday.
