The NZ Transport Agency is installing solar-powered, minimal light pollution, LED lights at four intersections in the coastal Mariri causeway area of Tasman District, from this week (18 June).
The four intersections on State Highway 60, between Tasman/ Mapua and Motueka, are at Weka, Eden, Moana and Robinson Roads.
“As well as increasing safety for road users at these four intersections, the LED lights will cast light more directly down onto the road with less “spill” or light pollution onto the surrounding estuary environment or the night sky,” says Transport Agency System Manager Frank Porter.
The LED lights include a single 11 metre high, solar-powered LED light at the intersection with Weka Road, Eden Road and Moana Road, and two 11 metre high solar-powered LED lights at the Robinson Road intersection.
Each light will require a day’s work for its installation by the Transport Agency’s Tasman Journeys crews, or five days’ work in all. There is less work involved in installing these lights as they are not connected to the electricity grid and they run off batteries powered by the sun. Maintenance costs over their life is lower than for conventional street lighting.
The total cost of the project is around $80,000.
“This work should not disrupt road users much at all, apart from a temporary speed reduction, with the intersections remaining open to traffic in both directions,” says Mr Porter. “Thanks to everyone who uses this stretch of highway for slowing down while the work is underway.”
Map of the Mariri Causeway section of State Highway 60, Tasman District south of Motueka, with the four intersections marked:
