Dangerous intersection set for upgrade

A dangerous intersection near Geraldine will be fixed.

Timaru council has received NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) confirmation that it will provide the majority of funding for the proposed $2.3 million upgrade of the intersection of Winchester-Geraldine, Coach and Tiplady roads.

The project involves transforming the intersection into a roundabout with the aim of improving road safety at the junction, which is a major route for both businesses, tourists and local residents.

Council's land and transport manager, Andrew Dixon, says that the NZTA funding accounts for 75% of the total project.

The normal rate is 51% but this road safety project is one of the only two projects in the Canterbury region funded by NZTA on the targeted enhanced financial assistance rate (TEFAR) basis, he said.

The intersection has been considered as a safety issue for a number of years. This is reflected by a high vehicle crash history in the last 10 years where there have been eight injury-causing crashes, with three of them resulting in serious injuries.

The Coach - Tiplady Road route is intensively used by motorists and heavy vehicles travelling from Christchurch to Queenstown. The number of heavy vehicles has increased significantly from 20 to 200 per day in the last ten years, which in turn has increased the risk to motorists.

A number of measures to improve the safety of this intersection had previously been implemented, including active "Stop Ahead'' signage, other traffic signage, improved road markings and road surfacing, a significant safety issue remains.

NZTA have assessed the intersection and recommend that installing a large roundabout will create a much improved road safety environment for all road users, Mr Dixon says.

Improving safety for road users is important to us and a key Government priority. We expect the improved safety along this section can help support future growth in the area.

The project is estimated to be completed by June 2021, with detailed design being provided early in 2020 and construction starting late 2020.