Funding for a roundabout for a notorious traffic accident blackspot has been welcomed by Franklin Local Board chair Andy Baker.
The New Zealand Transport Authority – Waka Kotahi - has approved $16.4 million for a roundabout where Glenbrook Road joins State Highway 22 between Drury and Paerata.
“Drivers will be delighted because it’s an intersection everyone in Franklin knows is not without risk.
“The board has advocated with agencies for a long time to get something done about the intersection, and with the amount of growth we are seeing at Paerata, the situation was only going to get worse.
“Anything that improves road safety and makes access to development in the area has to be welcome.”
Building will start early next year and be completed later in the year.
Waka Kotahi says the roundabout will make SH22 safer, with more than 20 crashes recorded within half a kilometre of the intersection between 2015 and 2019.
The roundabout is among a range of improvements being implemented for SH22, including a lower speed limit and a turning bay at Jesmond Road. Investigations into safety barriers, turning bays and localised road widening are ongoing.
“Up to 25,000 vehicles a day use SH22 to get to and from SH1 every day,” Mr Baker says.
“About 10,000 of those meet SH22 at Glenbrook Road, so it’s pleasing to see a roundabout to make this dangerous intersection safer confirmed. However, we are committed to continuing to fight for other improvements, including roundabouts on SH22 at intersections like Blackbridge Road, as was consulted on and proposed.”
