Improvements: Proposed works aim for safer journeys

Ōpōtiki safety works starting soon

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is carrying out preliminary work on SH2 between the SH2/Wainui Road (Matakerepu) intersection and Ōpōtiki, with construction due to start early 2021.

We are aware that, despite having relatively low traffic volumes of 4400 vehicles per day, this section of SH2 has significantly high rates of rural deaths and serious injury road crashes.

Initial funding of $7.6 million will enable Waka Kotahi to complete some safety improvements along the state highway, such as widening the road at key locations and determining any land and resource consents required.

However, further funding is needed to complete the $26 million safety improvements along this section of SH2. This will be considered as part of the 2021 - 24 National Land Transport Plan (NLTP).

On the ground: A Waka Kotahi team travelled to Ōpōtiki to chat with locals

Ōpōtiki Eastern AgFest participation

We recently attended the Ōpōtiki AgFest so we could speak to locals to gain their views and feedback on the project.

Before the event we sent almost 700 letters and made phone calls to homes and businesses along the route, including local holiday parks to let people know we were going to be there to provide information and answer questions on the project.

Throughout the day more than 100 people visited our stall and provided the team with valuable feedback from regular road users in the region.

The feedback throughout the day showed strong support for the improvements, particularly at high risk intersections. It also showed us people are worried about how some improvements might slow down traffic and affect the way they use the road.

The team had valuable discussions with locals and have already actioned some of the feedback. Some locals expressed concern about faded line marking at the intersection of Wainui Road and SH2. We passed this feedback on to our maintenance team, who undertook fresh line marking within two weeks.

Some other feedback and questions included:

• Current speed to high and too many drivers going too fast;
• When and how is the speed review along this stretch of road going to take place?;
• Ōhiwa Beach Road / State Highway 2 / Waiotahe Valley Back Road intersection is considered dangerous and it is difficult to see vehicles approaching the intersection;
• There are too many crashes on SH2, particularly in this area;
• SH2 often floods after a big storm;
• There is a need for more safety barriers.

So, what can we do now?

Initial safety improvements for Section 1A will be undertaken from Wainui Road intersection to Ōhiwa Beach Road. These include shoulder widening, side barriers at high risk locations, edgeline and centreline rumble strips.

Other sections are subject to further funding and include:

- Section 1B (Waiotahe Valley Back Road to Appleton Road)

- Section 1C (Appleton Road to Woodlands Road)

- Section 2 (Ōhiwa Beach Road / SH2 / Waiōtahe Valley Back Road intersections) we are currently investigating appropriate safety options for these intersections.

- Section 3 includes a roundabout for the SH2/Wainui Road (Matakerepu) intersection where the road will be raised to reduce flooding.

When is work going to happen?

Now to January 2021

We will continue preliminary works and detailed design of the remaining sections, including any land and resource consents that may be required. We will get back to directly affected property owners and update the wider community as the project develops.

Early 2021 to June 2021

Construction will start on Section 1A

Why is it taking so long?

It’s important we make improvements that are right for the road, that work for those who use and live along it. This is a complicated stretch of state highway and we need to get it right.

The proposed safety improvements are all subject to funding, and property negotiations.

What about speed?

During 2021, Waka Kotahi will complete a technical assessment of SH2 between Paengaroa and Ōpōtiki to consider speed management as part of the Safe Network Programme. An assessment will also be carried out between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne.

As part of this we will work closely with local government. our road safety partners and the community as local knowledge is vital to our speed review process. 

More information

For more information on the SH2 Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki project, or if you have any questions, email us at bopprojects@nzta.govt.nz