The NZ Transport Agency is to begin investigation next week on upgrading the intersection of State Highway 2 (SH2) and State Highway 25 (SH25), north of Mangatarata, to a roundabout.
The Transport Agency’s Principal Safety Engineer, Michelle Te Wharau, says a roundabout has been identified as the preferred more forgiving form of intersection and investigation work will be carried out over the next few months to identify the most effective and efficient design.
“The current layout of the T-intersection is now unsuitable given the large volume of traffic from the Coromandel that turns right from SH25 into SH2 towards Auckland, particularly during peak holiday periods” Mrs Te Wharau says.
During October and November preliminary investigation work will take place, including site walkovers, land surveying and minor geotechnical testing.
Some geotechnical tests are planned for next week during the nights of 30 and 31st of October (weather permitting). They will be carried out at night to avoid daytime peak traffic. There will be some noise and lighting as a result of this, but it will be kept to a minimum. Traffic flows should not be affected by this work.
Residents and other interested parties will be kept informed of the progress of the investigation and preliminary design work.
The Transport Agency has engaged Bloxam Burnett and Olliver (BBO) to conduct the investigation and design stages of this project. Public queries about the upgrade should be directed to Ben Inger on 0800 226 583.
The project to upgrade the SH2/SH25 intersection is one of a number of improvements that will take place at the northern end of SH2 as part of the Government’s Safer Journeys action plan being implemented by the Transport Agency.
