The public is being asked for their opinions on options to improve the safety of the intersection of State Highways 3 and 37, near Waitomo.

The NZ Transport Agency is working with the Waitomo District Council, New Zealand Police and road safety partners to identify the options for the safety upgrade of the busy intersection, which was the site of two fatal crashes in 2012.

The NZ Transport Agency is looking to improve safety conditions on SH3 and SH37, near Waitomo.

Principal safety engineer Michelle Te Wharau says the agency will hold a public open day at the end of August as part of its efforts to formally consult with the local and wider community on a range of potential options for improving safety at the intersection.

The proposal also includes improving safety where the Mangarino Road intersects with SH3.

Michelle says this road has become more challenging as use of the intersection has risen. 'Traffic volumes passing through this intersection have steadily increased over time, with a current annual average of 6500 vehicles per day on SH3; 1300 per day on SH37 and 450 vehicles per day on Mangarino Road.

'Heavy vehicles account for 10-15 per cent of the overall traffic volume in the vicinity of this intersection. The area also receives over 400,000 visitors a year, due to the tourist attractions in the area. Many of these overseas visitors are driving on New Zealand roads for the first time.”
She says over the last year the Transport Agency has been listening to community concerns and has been working hard with other key safety stakeholders to elevate the priority of this project.

'There has been good progress on having this project accepted for inclusion into the current three-year National Land Transport Programme. This allows the agency to now apply for more project funding to progress the project to the next stage.

'Once we've listened to the public and assessed community feedback, a final option will be confirmed and publicly announced. Our efforts to identify funding for the project will continue alongside these activities.”

Michelle hopes the consultation process will also be an opportunity for the families and others affected by crashes at this location a chance to have their say too.

'We recognise the human face behind these tragedies when a crash occurs. We welcome their comments as part of gathering a complete picture on the potential options for the SH3/SH37 intersection.”

Waitomo District Mayor Brian Hanna says identifying the best solution for improving safety at the intersection is crucial and the time taken to thoroughly investigate and audit potential options has been a lengthy but necessary process.

'Council's input has been a key part of that process and we remain committed to ensuring these improvements stay on track. Since the agency put in interim improvements after last September, there have been no crashes at this intersection.

'These measures appear to be going some way towards slowing traffic down and reducing the chance of crashes occurring in the meantime.”

Public open day and options

The public open day will be held at The Big Apple, SH3, just north of the Waitomo intersection, between 2pm and 7.30pm on Thursday, August 29.

The project team will be on hand to discuss the proposals and answer any questions people may have.

Details on the four proposals and a feedback form will be made available at the open day venue, at local libraries; council offices, cafes and Waitomo attractions.

'On that date we'll also make these documents available on the Transport Agency's website at www.nzta.govt.nz/consultation/waitomo or they can be ordered by emailing [email protected] or phoning 07 958 7220,” says Michelle.

Public feedback is due before 5pm on Thursday, September 12.