10/10/2006

ODC tags intersection for upgrade

It is an accident waiting to happen.
Therefore the Otorohanga District Council are planning to improve the intersection of Kakamutu Rd and Hinewai St before a tragedy does occur.
The proposed improvements were discussed at a community board meeting on Monday, December 12.
In a report by engineering manager Dave Clibbery the intersection was described as "a very wide open area of seal that does not encourage consistent or cautious driving".
"It has previously been identified as desirable to modify the intersection to more effectively channel traffic and a budget of $14,000 exists in the current financial year for this purpose," stated the report.
Mr Clibbery proposed that a paved central traffic island and kerb extension be installed to direct traffic and "provide a refuge for pedestrians crossing Hinewai St'".
It is also likely the current give way sign on Hinewai St will be changed to a stop sign to slow traffic and reduce the risk of collisions.
"Otherwise it is likely that someday somebody is going to make a wrong move and there will be an accident," said Mr Clibbery.
He said the proposed changes are very significant, would require considerably reduced vehicle speed and could prove quite "tight", especially for larger vehicles.
In order to test the effectiveness and practicality of the changes, council plans to firstly set out the proposed kerbing using sandbags.
This experiment will allow council staff to easily adapt the plans if necessary before permanent changes are put in place.
It is thought the new intersection may also encourage trucks to use Kakamutu Rd rather than Hinewai St, which contains built up pedestrian areas around the medical centre, kinderkarten and college.