The NZ Transport Agency will start a safety upgrade at the Theodosia and Elizabeth Streets intersection (on State Highway 1, Theodosia St) on Monday, 23 April.
The work is estimated to take up to six weeks to complete and drivers should anticipate some short delays with some temporary traffic management around this busy intersection while the changes go in place.
“Having consulted with key community stakeholders and nearby businesses most affected by this intersection, there was almost unanimous support for changing the traffic movements and reconfiguring the new pedestrian refuges to increase safety,” says John Keenan, Transport Agency Maintenance Contract Manager.
“The new line markings and alterations to the traffic islands are aimed at improving the merge distance area on SH1 Theodosia Street south of the Sophia Street traffic signals and improving the right turning bay into Elizabeth Street.
“As part of these improvements, the right turn out of Elizabeth Street onto SH1 Theodosia Street will be closed and the exit onto SH1 Theodosia Street will be left turn only. Also, the pedestrian safety and accessibility to the town centre will be improved,” says Mr Keenan.
“One nearby business operator did question the closure of the right turn out of Elizabeth St, but there are good safety reasons for this change as part of the works to reduce intersection crashes and conflicts with pedestrians.”
The road safety improvement works are supported by the Timaru District Council and are aiming to make it safer for all road users - motorists, cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians - at this busy intersection.
The work will be done by Paul Smith Earthmoving, a subcontractor to the South Canterbury highway network Maintenance Contractor Downer, on behalf of the Transport Agency.
The work is costing $115,000 with $15,000 coming from Timaru District Council.
Looking north from the intersection:
Looking south from the intersection:
