The SH73, Waimakariri Gorge Road intersection at Waddington is a key junction for travellers between Christchurch and the West Coast.
The intersection is used by a mix of passenger and freight vehicles, as well as local community members. There are no pedestrian or cycling facilities, and the rural high-speed 100km/h environment adds to the risk. The adjacent railway level crossing increases complexity at the intersection and heightens the potential for crashes.
We’re proposing an ISZ which has electronic variable speed limit signs to temporarily show a lower speed limit of 60km/h on SH73. This makes it easier and safer for people to pull into or out of a side road across a high-speed rural road, while avoiding unnecessary delays.
As part of installing the ISZ, we’ll also need to carry out some road widening and add a new right-turn bay. These improvements will help manage traffic flow and reduce the risk of crashes at this busy intersection.
KiwiRail has also been exploring a level crossing upgrade, including barrier arms and flashing lights, to further improve safety.
Key estimates:
Cost benefit disclosure statement [PDF, 118 KB]
Fill in the online survey(external link)
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