Another set of traffic lights is being investigated for
Oamaru by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA)This time,
the NZTA is looking at the Severn St-Cross St intersection
and whether traffic lights are needed to improve traffic and
pedestrian safety.
NZTA Otago-Southland operations manager Murray Clarke said
this week the need for traffic lights at the intersection was
being investigated and consultation would be held, including
with schools.
"If a decision is made to install them, that would not take
place until the next financial year," he said.
It would be the sixth set of intersection traffic lights to
be installed in Oamaru since last year.
Five are in operation as part of the $3.2 million safety
upgrade of State Highway 1 through central Oamaru and a set
of pedestrian crossing lights was recently activated on SH1
at the Junction corner.
A few years ago, a pedestrian crossing was put in near the
Cross St-Severn St intersection.
Mr Clarke said the intersection had been an issue for at
least 20 years and there had been several accidents there.
It was difficult for pedestrians going to the swimming pool,
Oamaru gardens, skateboard park and Mitre 10.
Traffic used it as a route to Weston and tourists to get to
the Oamaru Top 10 Holiday Park.
Mr Clarke emphasised the lights were "very much a proposal at
this stage".
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