For others, however, the strip of road from Moeraki north to Maheno is a source of ongoing pain and bad memories. The fatal crash on Wednesday was the fifth death on that road since the beginning of 2015 and the ninth since 2011.
Clearly, something has to be done. Drivers, be they local or from overseas, will make mistakes. And the results will, tragically, sometimes be fatal.
There is official recognition the road from Dunedin to Oamaru is particularly hazardous. Area prevention manager for Otago Coastal Inspector Matt Scoles has said current statistics make this stretch the highest-risk road in the entire Southern district, a view supported by Southern district road policing manager Inspector Tania Baron.
The Safe Roads Alliance, set up as part of the Government’s Safer Journeys strategy, also recognises there are issues. The Alliance, a liaison group between the New Zealand Transport Agency and infrastructure consultants, is due to begin investigating the stretch in early 2017. Its role is "to deliver timely and tangible improvements to New Zealand roads, helping to reduce deaths and serious injuries".
But its list of 12 projects so far are all in the North Island. Other project sites are being "developed". That has put Dunedin to Oamaru down the road somewhat.
These other projects for the Southern district are SH88 Dunedin to Port Chalmers, Dunedin to Fairfield, Mosgiel to Balclutha and SH1 Invercargill to Moto Rimu Rd. Each has possible figures attached and lists general treatments proposed, except for the Invercargill project, where it says possible options might not proceed because of high costs against the benefits.
In the Oamaru to Dunedin case, all that is due to start is "project investigation". That is unsatisfactory for all those concerned about the fatal crashes occurring now.
What is required is urgency, and not lumbering bureaucratic processes. Suggestions from local residents for flashing lights, speed limits, better and clearer signs further back from the key turn-off and a bigger run-off road need to be considered. Roading experts could well come up with other measures to mitigate the dangers.
Rather than tackle SH1 as one big fresh project from Dunedin to Oamaru, the relevant authorities, and not just the Safe Roads Alliance, need to focus immediately on that death stretch of highway around Moeraki. As Waitaki Mayor Garry Kircher has suggested, interim measures could be put in place while NZTA looks for the "perfect solution".
Big matches in DunedinNEWS the New Zealand Warriors are to play at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin next March will be welcomed by southern sporting enthusiasts and not just rugby league and Warriors supporters. The Warriors, although their record has been underwhelming, is sprinkled with stars and watching premier sport live is a treat.
Although the Warriors have visited Dunedin for a pre-season match — with the Brisbane Broncos in 2014 — the difference is huge between that and a full competition game where the result counts.The stadium will again come into its own, in what will officially be a home game for the Canterbury Bulldogs of Sydney.
