Turning into Onaero River Road from State Highway 3 is now safer thanks to a recently constructed new pullover bay.
Turning into Onaero River Road from State Highway 3 is now safer thanks to a recently constructed new pullover bay.
The pullover bay, located approximately 27km north of New Plymouth, was constructed this week by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) as part of a $200K package of works to improve safety on a 20km section of SH3 between Urenui and the SH3/SH3a intersection near Waitara.
The construction of the new pullover bay, just south of Urenui, was a major component of the recent safety works. The works also included the widening of the sealed shoulder at two other locations in Onaero, the installation of a total 650 metres of guard railing (including almost 400 metres at Onaero) and the clearance of numerous roadside hazards to improve safety and sight visibility.
NZTA Acting Operations Manager, Alan Burkett, says the new pullover lane opposite Onaero River Road will make it a lot safer for northbound vehicles turning right into Onaero River Road from SH3. The widening of the highway just south of the Onaero River Bridge will also make it safer for vehicles turning into the Onaero Bay Holiday Park.
Mr Burkett says, “The turnoff to Onaero River Road is in a high speed area right at the beginning of a passing lane and vehicles have often been spotted sitting in the middle of the road waiting to turn, which is not recommended in this location where the vehicles behind may have increased their speed for the passing lane. The new pullover bay has been constructed to improve safety in the area by allowing motorists to pull over to the left while they wait for a safe gap to turn.”
The new pullover bay opposite Onaero River Road is now operational but currently unsealed. The sealing needs to be carried out in fine weather and will be done as soon as the weather clears.
Contact information:
Gerhard van Blerk
Area Engineer
Telephone: 07 903 5125
Mobile: 027 297 5286
Email: gerhard.vanblerk@nzta.govt.nz
Julie Hannam
Regional Communications Advisor
Telephone: 07 903 5146
Mobile: 027 294 2649
Email: julie.hannam@nzta.govt.nz
