Safety works to begin on Hamilton's SH3/Bader Street intersection

Road users are set to benefit from $1.5 million of safety improvement works at the State Highway 3 on ramp, Normandy Avenue and Bader Street intersection in Hamilton, due to begin this week.

The NZ Transport Agency Acting State Highway's manager for Hamilton Michelle Te Wharau says the intersection upgrade will improve traffic flows and safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

"This intersection has a crash history mainly from vehicles turning right from Bader Street and conflicting with southbound vehicles on Normandy Avenue," Mrs Te Wharau says. "The new work will provide for safer traffic movements and also make it easier and safer for cyclists and pedestrians to travel between Bader and Lorne Streets."

The comprehensive upgrade includes:

• Installation of traffic signals at the Normandy Avenue/Bader street intersection
• A left turn slip lane for vehicles entering Bader Street from Normandy Avenue
• Signalised Pedestrian crossings in two directions at both the Bader Street and Lorne Street intersections with Normandy Avenue
• On-road and off-road cycling lanes
• A new median island along Normandy Avenue
• A new right turn bay for vehicles turning into Bader Street from Normandy Avenue
• Restricting access at the Beatty Street intersection with Normandy Avenue to left in and left out only

Mrs Te Wharau says in addition to providing easier access to Melville Park and Bader Street shops, the upgrade has also been designed to accommodate increased traffic flows predicted to be generated through residential developments in the Peacockes area of the city.

The safety improvements are expected to be completed by December 2011.