The NZ Transport Agency will begin work next week to improve safety on a stretch of SH2 in the Wairarapa, from the Masterton roundabout at the north end of Chapel Street to Te Ore Ore Road.
The northbound lanes will be resurfaced and the road layout will be changed to improve the safety and visibility at the pedestrian crossing near Te Ore Ore Road.
“Since 2006, four pedestrians have been injured using the crossing and these improvements are a priority for the Transport Agency,” Regional Transport Systems Manager Mark Owen says.
“With the current two-lane northbound layout drivers can have their line of sight to the crossing obstructed by vehicles in the other lane, so we are changing the layout to remove this risk”.
The northbound road layout will change to mirror the layout for southbound traffic: one lane for vehicles prior to the pedestrian crossing, splitting to two lanes past the crossing. The work also includes increased space for cyclists with the installation of a marked shoulder.
“We expect the work will take two nights beginning on Tuesday 20th next week, subject to the weather” Mr Owen says.
“Night works are the quickest, most efficient way to achieve the required result and will minimise disruption for road users,” Mr Owen says.
While the road will be open to traffic traveling in both directions, it will be reduced to one lane and managed with the use of stop/go signs.
