High vehicle speeds and growing traffic volumes on State Highway 6 at Glenda Dr, Frankton, mean a new roundabout is needed to lessen the likelihood of injury crashes.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has lodged a notice of requirement to make alterations to State Highway 6, 270m southwest of the Glenda Dr intersection.
Included would be an arm to the proposed Queenstown Lakes District Council arterial road to the southeast, which would serve development in Frankton Flats, and an opposite arm to the northwest to serve Quail Rise development.
The roundabout would be two lanes with four arms and was necessary to improve safety and efficiency on the state highway, the application said.
"Improvements to the Glenda Dr intersection have been proposed over recent years as a response to road safety concerns and in acknowledgement of the growing traffic demands at the intersection.
"Current road safety issues relate to the right-turn movements into and out of Glenda Dr.
"These are exacerbated by the high vehicular speeds and growing traffic volumes.
"Over five years, from 2004 to 2008 [inclusive], the intersection has averaged 1.2 injury crashes per year . . . a crash rate closer to 0.3 per year might be expected.
"NZTA reports that the upgrade to the intersection in 2008 significantly reduced crashes, however, given the continued growth in traffic that is expected, the fundamental need for further improvements remains."
NZTA and the QLDC had carried out consultation and included the Wakatipu Transportation Strategy, Plan Change 19 and the Scheme Assessment Report.
