Major changes will get underway at the State Highway 30/Tarawera Road intersection in Rotorua from next month as work to upgrade the busy intersection begins.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is transforming the existing Tarawera Road roundabout into a signalised intersection as part of the Eastern Corridor Stage One project.
Acting Portfolio Delivery Manager Jo Wilton says the existing roundabout is not suitable for cyclists and pedestrians and, due to the large increase in traffic volumes along the corridor, is no longer functioning optimally during peak travel hours.
“This intersection is a critical part of Rotorua’s transport network. Upgrading it will make it a lot safer and easier to use for all modes of travel, as well as providing more reliable journey times for vehicles.
“This upgrade is crucial for supporting the expected population growth in eastern Rotorua.”
The work also involves upgrading the services at the intersection, including the undergrounding of powerlines, installing a new watermain and preparing and sealing the road surface for its new function.
Ms Wilton says upgrading the intersection, while continuing to have the same levels of traffic travelling through it, is a difficult task that has required careful planning and consideration.
“We have been working closely with our contractor to ensure we minimise the impact of construction works on the community.”
On Thursday 8 October, the existing Tarawera Road roundabout will be replaced overnight with a temporary, larger roundabout, which will be installed using hit sticks.
This new layout will be in place until January 2021 and will allow contractors to work on the service upgrades in larger sections of the intersection without affecting the live traffic lanes.
“We have made sure the temporary roundabout includes the same lane formation as the old roundabout, so the way people use the intersection will not change,” says Ms Wilton.
A temporary speed limit of 30km/h will be in place at all times during construction to ensure the safety of the public and contractors. The new speed limit will make travel through the intersection slower and cause some delays at peak times.
“We are asking motorists to expect, and plan for, more significant delays while people are getting used to the new layout.”
After January 2021, the temporary roundabout will be adjusted approximately once each month until April 2021 so contractors can access all remaining areas of the intersection.
The work from September to April will predominantly be to upgrade services and construct the new road surface, as well as preparing the site for its final formation as a signalised intersection.
Once the service upgrade is complete, the temporary roundabout, and all other traffic management, wiIl be removed and the traffic lights will be switched on.
The signalised intersection is scheduled to be complete by the end of May 2021.
“This is a major milestone in our work to future-proof Rotorua’s Eastern Corridor,” says Ms Wilton.
This work is part of the Eastern Corridor Stage One project currently under construction on SH30/Te Ngae Road from Sala Street to Iles Road.
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