The new signalised intersection at the State Highway 30/Tarawera Road intersection in Rotorua is now operational, marking a major milestone in the Eastern Corridor Stage One project, which is improving the safety of SH30/Te Ngae Road between Sala Street and Iles Road.
Waka Kotahi Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Jo Wilton says final line markings and the switch over were completed last night (22 July).
“This upgrade will make the intersection safer, easier to use and more efficient at peak travel times, and it’s an exciting milestone for the project.
“We’re asking people to take extra care when travelling through the intersection as they get used to the new layout. There may be some delays as people adjust to the change, and the intersection will be closely monitored so adjustments can made to the traffic light phasing if needed.”
Ms Wilton says the upgrade has been a big undertaking for the community, with work on the intersection starting in September last year.
“The process to transform the intersection from a roundabout to a signalised intersection has involved careful planning, to allow us to undertake the work while keeping the intersection functional for road users.
“We want to thank everyone for their patience, and the businesses in the area for their cooperation.”
With the traffic lights now operational, the community is advised to expect the intersection to be an active worksite for the next few weeks as final works are completed.
Contractors will continue working at the intersection for about three weeks as they construct the concrete islands separating traffic travelling in opposite directions.
There will be occasional lane closures, additional signage, and a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place.
Waka Kotahi asks motorists to be patient as we complete these final steps.
The final layer of surfacing will be applied in September when temperatures are warmer to ensure a strong bond between the two layers of surfacing.
The signalising of Tarawera intersection is part of the $17 million Eastern Corridor Stage One project, improving SH30/Te Ngae Road from Sala Street to Iles Road. The project started in February 2020, with completion expected in late 2021.
Eastern Corridor - Stage One project page
Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:
