Why a roundabout to improve safety at this intersection?
Roundabouts are proven to be effective at reducing crashes at intersections. That’s because they require drivers to reduce their speeds when they approach the intersection and they change the angle at which you could potentially hit another road user. We believe this roundabout will make travel safer for everyone who passes through this intersection.
What factors led to the decision to build a single rather two-lane roundabout?
The design of a roundabout is determined by factors such as traffic volumes and the surrounding road layout. Making a roundabout two-lane without enough traffic using it increases the likelihood of crashes when people enter and exit the roundabout. The decision for a single lane roundabout in this case was primarily driven by the need to improve the safety of this intersection.
What are the traffic counts at the SH6/SH84 intersection?
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|
Current AADT |
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|
Arm |
Count year |
Count |
Source |
|
SH84 W |
2020 |
8116 |
TMS |
|
SH6 N |
2020 |
7895 |
TMS |
|
SH6 E |
2020 |
5295 |
TMS |
|
Riverbank Rd S |
2019 |
3253 |
RAMM |
Is the roundabout capable of managing major traffic volumes during busy holiday periods?
No road is designed to accommodate absolute peak traffic volumes during busy holiday periods such as Christmas, New Year and Easter. During these infrequent peak load times, traffic will inevitably back up, but the design of a roundabout will help traffic flow more easily.
What engagement has there been about this project?
This project has been on the cards for many years. We have spoken directly with Queenstown Lakes District Council about this project over matters such as land requirements, roading impacts and 3 Waters services. We are also having discussions with those directly affected. There has also been some media coverage when the regional land transport plan for 2020-21 programme was announced.
Is a pedestrian underpass planned for this project?
No underpass is planned at this stage of the project. However, should user numbers increase then we may consider this as part of future improvements.
Does this link into Wanaka’s existing Active Travel networks?
Not currently, but we have future proofed the crossing of the roundabout to connect into any planned routes. Waka Kotahi is committed to making travel safer for people who choose to walk or cycle, but this project is primarily focused on safety improvements for the highway. It will benefit other users as it will have dedicated crossings for those on bike or on foot.
