We’re installing a package of safety improvements along the section of State Highway 2 through Tāneatua.
In 2018 at the open day we heard the community’s concerns about safety within Tāneatua.
Since then we have been working alongside key community stakeholders on solutions to reduce the speed of vehicles in Tāneatua and increase safety for pedestrians.
As a result, we are making the following changes to the road layout on SH2 in Tāneatua:
- Installing advanced warning signs ahead of the 50km/h speed limit change through Tāneatua so motorists have more time to slow down.
- Narrowing and colouring the surface of the traffic lanes where the speed limit changes and installing a flush median strip at these locations (narrowing traffic lanes means they feel more constricted and encourage vehicle speeds appropriate for a 50km/h environment).
- Marking a new flush median through the town to improve safety for vehicles turning and provide separation between oncoming traffic (flush medians are white diagonal lines, painted down the centre of the road, marking an area about one-car-width wide).
- Constructing one new pedestrian median refuge island to provide additional safe crossing locations – between Howell and Morrison roads, and between Reid and Amokura roads.
- Two new pedestrian crossings – one between the shops and reserve and another outside Tāneatua School.
We are also making the following parking changes in Tāneatua:
- Installing ‘no stopping at all times’ yellow line markings on both sides of the highway at various locations through the town. As we are proposing to narrow the highway and install the above safety features, there will no longer be enough space for on-street parking in some areas of town. The yellow lines ensure vehicles don’t try to park at these locations. These are particularly important at pedestrian crossing points and intersections.
- Installing a new bus stop outside Tāneatua School. This will be built on the side of the road to allow the bus to stop without hindering visibility of pedestrians.
- Altering the locations of the existing 60-minute time restricted parking bays, the mobility parking bay, and the existing bus stop bay in town.
