Green light given for northern corridor improvements
Taupō District Council has given the green light for improvements to the northern access to town, including the installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Norman Smith Street and Wairakei Drive.
Improving safety, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists, was the main driver for the decision that will also see traffic calming measures implemented, minor changes to the Poihipi Road and Wairakei Drive intersection, and the completion of the widening of the existing path on Control Gates Hill.
While not expected to solve all the congestion issues, particularly during busy holiday and event times, the work is expected to realise benefits in travel times for those travelling from the north into the central business district.
The design work was completed following an expert engineers report on solutions and consultation with the community as part of the Long-term Plan process.
Chief executive Gareth Green said the Mayor and councillors had given the project careful consideration, particularly following a petition with 1000 signatures asking for the council to reconsider traffic lights as an option.
“However, the consensus was that they could not put a price on safety and we had to do what we could to make the intersection safe for all its users,” he said.
An additional $233,000 was approved to complete the full project. This was in addition to the $717,000 allocated in the Long-term Plan.
“If this project contributes to saving just one life, or reducing the number of crashes in that area, which it is designed to do, it will be money well spent,” said Mr Green.
The traffic signal design would be the latest technology that would include a ‘resting green phase’ to keep traffic flowing on Wairakei Drive when there was no waiting traffic on Norman Smith Street.
There would also be two right turning lanes on to Wairakei Drive from Norman Smith Street and signals to stop traffic for waiting cyclists and pedestrians. There would also be access improvements for those using Poi Road off Wairakei Drive to access the river.
The project is expected to start just after Easter and take nine weeks.