Community identifies opportunities for safety improvements
Earlier this year we talked to the local community about the proposed improvements along State Highway 3 Waitara to Bell Block. The purpose of the engagement was to give people an opportunity to share their knowledge and experience using the route and their ideas on how to improve safety.
We collected feedback at community open days in March 2017, via feedback forms and by email. About 270 people attended the open days and we received 95 feedback forms and emails that provided valuable insights from the community.
Some of the key issues raised during the engagement include:
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driver behavior
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work-arounds and short-cuts to avoid certain intersections
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poor signage
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near misses and accidents
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consistent speed limit
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suggestion for four lanes or longer turning lanes
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walking and cycling facilities
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many suggestions for improvements at intersections.
We received some excellent ideas and suggestions for how to improve the network, and heard community views on safety, speed and growth. This feedback will be considered as we progress this project.
Next steps
All views will be considered as we develop and recommend potential solutions along this stretch of State Highway 3. We're looking at the route in two parts:
Waitara to SH3A (near Mahoetahi Road)
With the primary focus for this section on safety improvements, we expect to be able to share our thoughts and seek your feedback later this year with early construction activities likely to begin in 2018.
SH3A (near Mahoetahi Road) to Bell Block
We are undertaking some traffic modelling to help us determine the future growth in traffic volumes. Once we have a ‘big picture’ view, we will update you and seek further feedback.
Download a copy of the community feedback report on the high level findings of this engagement.
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