A locomotive engineer who knows all too well the traumatic experience of unintentionally taking a human life is concerned pedestrian safety measures for the new Baypark to Bayfair link upgrade and flyover are not enough.

KiwiRail health and safety rep Nigel Smith was driving the train that struck and killed 55-year-old Kumiko Wakamiya Goodhall in Mount Maunganui in 2010 and wants to save others from 'needless heartache”.

Locomotive engineer Nigel Smith fears pedestrians maybe seriously injured or killed if Matapihi Rd is not bridged over the railway lines as part of the Baypark to Bayfair Link Upgrade Project. Photo: David Tauranga.

He is concerned measures the NZ Transport Agency are taking around pedestrian safety for the new $102 million project will not be enough.

The Baypark to Bayfair Link Upgrade Project involves two flyovers – one taking State Highway 2 over the Maunganui-Girven intersection, the other taking SH29 over the railway line and Te Maunga intersection.

The existing railway line will be re-routed through part of the Omanu Golf Course and behind the Owens Place shopping centre and a level crossing will be installed.

Nigel wants the road bridged at the new location for the level crossing on Matapihi Road in order to 'take pedestrians out of the picture”.

He has contacted NZTA twice with his concerns but feels they are being dismissed due to costs.

Nigel is desperate to see the pedestrian bridge happen – it was at the rail intersection on Matapihi Road that Kumiko was killed.

Police at the time said Kumiko appeared to have been listening to a music device, was distracted and didn't see or hear the train.

She died instantly.

'Being involved in a fatality on the existing crossing was one of the most horrible experiences I've ever had,” says Nigel.

'It's one of the scariest parts about the job, barrier arms stop the cars but people just ignore them and walk straight in front of you.

'I have hit one person and had too many close shaves there.”

Nigel says the crossing is so notorious among train drivers it is 'what you would call one of our black spots”.

There is a large residential population in Matapihi and a lot of foot traffic, he says.

The area is also popular with recreation walkers wanting to take in the sights of the Matapihi peninsula.

He also points out the Bayfair roundabout is the only point where vehicles can currently enter and exit Matapihi Road.

It is common for trains more than 800 metres long to run through the intersection and at times motorists can be waiting for up to five minutes, says Nigel.

'They get even impatient having to wait 30 seconds and impatient people make bad decisions.

'If the NZTA are going to move the tracks they should do it right and put in a bridge because they would have removed another hazard from the railway lines.”

NZTA Bay of Plenty acting highway manager Andrew Scott says the agency takes safety at railway level crossings extremely seriously.

He says relocation of the crossing will significantly reduce foot traffic across the train tracks as pedestrians will no longer have to cross it to access Owens Place Retail Park.

Along with road barrier arms and bells warning motorists, additional barrier arms for pedestrians and a chicane will be installed at the new level crossing to maximise safety.

'These kinds of barriers slow pedestrians down and force them to look in both directions so they are more likely to see an approaching train.

'Relocating the level crossing away from the current Bayfair roundabout also improves safety for motorists.”

Andrew says bridging Matapihi Rd was considered but the ramps would have been too steep due to the Owens Place intersection and Bayfair access on Girven Road.

During an open day in July discussing the project members of the public did ask about the feasibility of lowering the railway line under Matapihi Road, he says.

This approach was considered but several engineering issues made it unfeasible due to the high water table in the area.

'Creating the gradient necessary for rail operations was also an issue as it would have required extensive earthworks significantly increasing project costs.

'The project team have gone over many options and chosen one that ticks all the boxes while providing the right long term solutions to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.”

Do you think Matapihi Rd should be bridged at the new location for the level crossing or has the NZTA plans accommodated pedestrian safety fully? Comment below.