Following long-standing public concerns about speed safety on State Highway 90 as it enters the town from Gore, the NZ Transport Agency has asked contractors to install temporary 50kmh advance warning signs on its approach.
The move aims to allay concerns first raised with the agency by South West Autos owners Racheal and Geoff Hines in August 2018.
The exit to their yard - and several other properties - adjoins 50kmh speed signs at the top of a blind summit on the highway, meaning many drivers are only beginning to slow from 100kmh as they pass.
Following perceived inaction by NZTA, in June this year the Hines spoke to the Otago Daily Times, describing the section of road as ''a deathtrap in waiting''.
Mr Hines said he welcomed the new plan for additional signage, but expressed concern it would not prove to be just a ''stopgap'' by the agency.
''We received an email [from NZTA] last month saying there would be permanent action to move the signs to the bottom of the hill by February. Although these new signs are better than nothing, I don't want to see us put in limbo now, and for them to be used as a stopgap to avoid a permanent solution.''
Mrs Hines said she hoped to see the new signage as soon as possible.
''This road gets really busy over Christmas, and traffic will start to build over the next three months. It's the sooner the better.''
Despite the publicity, there had been no evidence of a change in driver behaviour, she said.
''You still get big trucks coming through too fast. It's scary. You just hold your breath something won't happen each time.''
NZTA said it had responded to Tapanui residents' concerns, and a permanent solution was still in prospect.
''From late October, the agency is planning to consult with the community on a proposed 50kmh speed limit. This is several months earlier than planned,'' NZTA safety engineers team leader Roy Johnston said.
In the meantime, he expected the advanced warning signage, which would be located 150m to 200m before the existing signs, would prove an ''effective'' additional measure.
