New flexible side barrier, non-slip coating, upgraded streetlights and new signage are on the way for the State Highway 3/Stewart Road intersection.
Stewart Road is an important connection for people travelling between Sanson and Feilding, with more than 2,400 vehicles travelling through every day.
Another 20,000 vehicles travel past the intersection every day.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Regional Manager of Infrastructure Delivery, Rob Partridge says small changes are planned to help make the intersection significantly safer for everyone.
“From next week we will install stretches of side barrier, resurface sections of the road with a non-slip coating, upgrade the streetlights to brighter and more efficient LEDs, add three additional streetlights, and replace the give way with a stop for northbound traffic on SH3 turning into Stewart Road.
Construction will begin on Monday 18 March and is expected to be completed in early April.
Traffic management at the intersection will change as the project progresses and will include Stop/Go control and a 30km/h temporary speed limit. Stop/Go will only be in place between the hours of 7am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
In April, crews are planning one night of work.
Road users should anticipate delays of up to five minutes as a result of the works.
“These improvements are relatively quick and easy to make and will deliver immediate safety benefits – helping ensure that people get home to their loved ones,” says Mr Partridge.
“The improvements will work to enhance safety on several fronts – the side barrier will help prevent vehicles from crashing down the embankment, the non-slip surface will help to improve traction, and the new LED lights will improve visibility at night.
“We decided to replace the give way sign for northbound traffic on SH3 turning onto Stewart Road with a stop sign as it is important people take the time to check it is safe to merge. This only takes seconds to do and could be all the difference in avoiding a crash,” says Mr Partridge.
NZTA will keep road users up to date with changes to traffic management, through traffic bulletins and on our Journey Planner.
