The NZ Transport Agency has started work on a $4.5m safety project to upgrade the intersection of State Highway 16 and Taupaki and Old North Roads near Kumeu, west Auckland.
The NZ Transport Agency has started work on a $4.5m safety project to upgrade the intersection of State Highway 16 and Taupaki and Old North Roads near Kumeu, west Auckland.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The present intersection controlled by Give Way signs will be replaced by a two lane roundabout.
"Our priority is to improve this already busy intersection to reduce delays and improve safety for all drivers on SH16 and the side roads," says the NZTA’s State Highways manager for Auckland, Tommy Parker.
Mr Parker says a roundabout will smooth the flow of traffic and eliminate the long wait motorists often face in Taupaki and Old North Roads.
Most of the crashes at the intersection over the past nine years involve vehicles turning right from SH16. There were also a number of crashes involving vehicles crossing the intersection without turning.
Mr Parker says the number of vehicles using SH16 at the intersections averages more than 20,000 a day and this is expected to grow as the region develops.
"Our design for the roundabout includes the two lanes to manage the predicted growth in traffic," he says.
The contract for the project has been awarded to Downer EDI.
Mr Parker says the NZTA will keep the intersection open during construction so that any disruption to drivers is kept to a minimum.
"However, people will be driving through a construction zone and they will need to do so with care for their own safety and for the safety of the project's workers," he says
There will be some changes to the layout of the roads approaching the intersection, and the NZTA will use advertising and electronic roadside messages to keep drivers informed about traffic conditions.
The project also includes improved Access for walkers and cyclists at the intersection, and bustops in both directions on SH16.
"Everyone in the community will benefit from this project," Mr Parker says.
