Spring Creek safety package – much more than just a roundabout

The NZ Transport Agency is inviting the public to share its views on the proposed design for a roundabout to make the junction of SH1 and SH62 safer for the thousands of people who use this intersection every day.

The Transport Agency’s Marlborough Roads manager Frank Porter says the Agency is inviting the public to learn more about the refined proposal at a public information day on Thursday.

“This is much more than just a roundabout. This is a complete safety makeover that will positively transform this intersection while also supporting the local community.

“To make this intersection safer, we need to tackle the cause of crashes directly.  Most crashes are caused by turning movements where cars come into conflict. A roundabout will eradicate most of these conflicts, and therefore provide a much needed solution to the unacceptable danger of this busy intersection.

“We are very conscious of the public’s desire to make sure that the roundabout creates a safer environment than what’s currently there, both for highway users and also for the immediate community.

“We’ve worked to ensure the roundabout is of the right size and design to provide safe journeys for through traffic, safe access for businesses, and safe provision for cyclists and pedestrians. The railway line adds another challenge, and the roundabout has been designed with this in mind.

“The roundabout, once finalised, will also be designed to trans-Tasman standards to ensure that trucks travelling at a safe speed can negotiate the roundabout without any problems.

Mr Porter says the Transport Agency are eager to chat to the community about the proposals. He says the public still have the opportunity to have their say and help to refine the proposals as they are developed further.

The project will offer:

• A roundabout, with size yet to be determined but likely to have a diameter of 19m
• A layby for vehicles waiting to turn into Ferry Road when a train is crossing. This avoids vehicles blocking the roundabout if a train is crossing.
• New traffic islands to help people to safely turn into local businesses. This stops vehicles making an unsafe right hand turn across the state highway.
• Pedestrian refuge points to allow people to wait safely on raised islands before fully crossing State Highway 1.
• Left hand turn into Ferry Rd with dedicated lane and road markings to cater to heavy truck turning movements into Ferry Road.
• A rumble strip will be provided on the corner as an over-run area for large trucks turning left into Rapaura Road.
• Entry and exit points to the Four Square Supermarket will be provided from Rapaura Road. Only a State Highway 1 exit (left-out) is proposed from the Supermarket for safety reasons.
• Landscaping to make the intersection more visually appealing
• New pedestrian and cycling facilities to make the intersection safer for active travellers, including a new footpath over the rail line, cycleways and shared pedestrian/cycle pathways
• Improved signage – both electronic and static
• Rail crossing barrier arms to protect highway users when trains approach

The public will have the opportunity to talk to the project team and share their views this Thursday at the St Lukes Anglican Church Hall.

If people are unable to make it to the Public Information Day, more information and a feedback form can be found at the project website: www.nzta.govt.nz/spring-creek(external link)

For more information please contact:

Anthony Frith
Media Manager - Central

T: 04 894 5251
M: 027 213 7617
E: anthony.frith@nzta.govt.nz