7 September 2021
Fourteen crashes at a busy New Plymouth intersection resulted in the installation of an innovative new half-roundabout to improve safety and traffic flow.
The layout of the intersection at Lawry Street and State Highway 44 (SH44) in Moturoa Village—a bustling shopping area—could be confusing for people driving through the area, creating congestion. Poor visibility and heavy traffic, which included a number of large trucks heading to Port Taranaki, meant it was difficult for people to cross the road safely to visit shops on either side of the highway.
There were 14 crashes in the spot in 10 years, resulting in two people being seriously injured.
A number of options for improving the intersection were tested with the community, local business owners and key stakeholders, including the local AA, Road Transport Association and New Plymouth District Council.
People overwhelmingly preferred the half-roundabout option and despite the unique design, people quickly understood how it worked. A zebra crossing with a signal was included in this design to make crossing SH44 safer.
Feedback from local businesses has been positive since the changes have made it easier for locals to cross the road.
See how the half roundabout works:
As part of the 2021–24 National Land Transport Programme, $260 million will be invested in the Taranaki region to maintain roads and help improve safety.
SH44 Moturoa safety improvements project
2021–24 NLTP Taranaki regional summary
