Lizard News AUGUST 2024
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Te Puna • Whakamārama • Matakana Is • Ōmokoroa • Pahoia • Apata • Aongatete • Katikati • Tahāwai • Bowentown • Athenree • Waihī Beach
Changes to median barrier plans on SH2 between Waihī and Ōmokoroa he installation of a median barrier on two sections of State Highway 2 between Waihī and Ōmokoroa is being re-examined by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). Chief Executive, Nicole Rose, says this corridor has had a significant number of deaths and serious injuries and has increasing volumes of traffic. It is also a key corridor for communities who live along or off the state highway. “We are seeking to strike a balance between achieving the best safety outcomes for all road users and a design
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By Ken Shirley Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor t is always heartening when bottomup community power can change centralised and entrenched decision making. NZTA’s determination to install continuous wire median barriers along State Highway 2 between Ōmokoroa and Katikati is a very good example. A relatively small band of determined individuals, supported by the broader community, have been campaigning for several years to allow right-hand turns from some fifteen intersecting sideroads that are not served by one of the six new roundabouts. Based on current day travel counts this would cause 17,250 additional kilometres of travel per day, with severe adverse impacts on emergency services, deliveries, orchard and farming businesses, together with community connectivity and convenience. The mounting public concern culminated in a public meeting held in the Katikati War Memorial Hall on Tuesday 23rd July. This meeting was attended by more than 300 concerned residents, with standing room only. Recognising the mounting political
that meets local trip needs. “As a result of community concerns, NZTA will re-consider the options for the section of median barrier between Matahui/Lockington roundabout and Wharawhara Road, and the stretch between Apata Station Road and Morton Road, which is the longest section in the project and includes the Work Road intersection,” Ms Rosie says. The project will complete the finishing touches to the 1.4km of median barrier between Morton Road roundabout and the Whatakao Bridge.
NZTA will continue installing median barriers from Wright Road to Aongatete bridge. This will mean Wright Road and Dawson Road will become left-in, left-out (with a roundabout at Matahui/Lockington roads - approximately 1.2km from Wright Road). “NZTA is looking at ways we can continue to deliver safety benefits while meeting the community’s concerns,” Ms Rosie says. “As part of this, we will also look at the speed limit for this stretch, which will depend on the safety improvements installed.”
Ken’s Comment
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Standing room only at the public meeting. PHOTOS: Facebook.
pressure, NZTA issued a statement on the afternoon of the scheduled meeting, stating that they recognised the community outrage and were reconsidering the options for sections of median barriers between Matahui/Lockington roundabout and Wharawhara Road and also the stretch between Apata Station Road and Morton Road, which is the longest section in the project.
Notwithstanding this intended review, the public meeting unanimously passed the following resolution: “The meeting requests that the Regional Transport Committee, supported by WBOPDC write to the NZTA board highlighting the community concern and urging them to make provision for right hand turns on all lateral roads joining SH2 between Katikati and Ōmokoroa.”
The current phase of works, installing median barriers and safe turnaround points (roundabouts), is 75 per cent complete. Four of six roundabouts have been built, and the fifth is under construction at Apata Station Road. Changes to the overall design of the safety improvements have been made throughout the project and NZTA continues to consider the concerns raised by the community with the current design. NZTA will update the community following the re-examination process, which will take several weeks. Article: NZTA.