The preferred plan involves the Pine Hill Rd uphill lane from Great King St being shifted a few metres into the Town Belt to improve visibility at the intersection.
Such work would improve safety and sight distances at an intersection regarded as high-risk, it was argued in a business case for the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
The single-stage business case for this and other work on State Highway 1 through Dunedin said the Pine Hill intersection project would provide safer access to North East Valley and include better connections for cycling and walking.
It might also cost between $8.41m and $10.17m, the business case said.
An alternative proposal of an overpass made it on to the shortlist, but was discounted as unaffordable and likely difficult to construct.
It would have cost more than $30m.
Of various intersections discussed in the business case, the Pine Hill intersection was considered to be of particular concern.
Twenty crashes were recorded there from 2019 to 2023, including two serious crashes.
One involved a cyclist and another involved a pedestrian.
Seventeen crashes were caused by motorists failing to give way when crossing Pine Hill Rd.
The planned work to improve sightlines was considered sufficient to allow the introduction of give-way signs at the intersection.
However, stop signs are set to be retained, as the transport agency preferred a cautious approach.
‘‘Transition to give-way control may be considered at a later date,’’ the business case said.
It was also decided there should be a right-turn bay on SH1 to the link road to George St.
Planned work around the Pine Hill intersection is part of a broader SH1 programme between there and the Andersons Bay Rd intersection — they bookend the one-way pair through town.
Additional queuing space is planned for the right turn off the Caversham Bypass Motorway on to Andersons Bay Rd.
Work in that area was estimated to cost between $3.44m and $4.16m.
The one-way pair were described in the business case as regionally and nationally important, providing the key north-south connection through Dunedin.
Planned work along the corridor would achieve value for money, it was stated in the document.
There would be wide safety benefits, as well as access and amenity improvements.
