Lizard News NOVEMBER 2019
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Te Puna • Whakamārama • Matakana Is • Ōmokoroa • Pahoia • Apata • Aongatete • Katikati • Tahāwai • Bowentown • Athenree • Waihī Beach
Lower speed limits proposed for SH2 By Matthew Farrell The Transport Agency is proposing to reduce speed limits on State Highway 2 between Katikati and Tauranga and is allowing a month for public feedback. NZTA says the suggested changes are being made to save lives and prevent serious injuries from crashes along the high-risk road. Acting Director of Regional Relationships, Ross I’Anson, says in the ten years from 2009 to 2018, 27 people lost their lives, and 77 were seriously injured on this section of SH2, causing immeasurable grief and suffering for families and communities. “The evidence is overwhelming that
lower speeds reduce the frequency and severity of crashes. Our analysis has shown that the current 100km/h and 90km/h speed limits are not safe and appropriate. Average travel speeds here are already well below the current limits,” he says. The proposed speed limit changes are: • Lower the open road limit between Katikati and Bethlehem from the current mix of 100/90km/h to 80km/h. • Lower the Pahoia School variable speed zone from 70km/h to 60km/h. • Lower the limit through the Te Puna township from 80km/h to 60km/h. • Extend the 50km/h limit at Bethlehem to 135m west of Te Puna Station Road.
NZTA says there are more vehicles, including heavy vehicles, using this section of SH2 than ever before and it’s catering to a wide range of competing travel needs including cyclists and school children. Crashes on this route can cause extensive delays and long detours if there are road closures. “We’re currently making SH2 between Waihī and Ōmokoroa safer by improving intersections and installing roadside safety barriers, widening the road shoulder and putting in a wide centreline. These safety improvements are already well underway and, together with the correct speed limits, will make SH2 safer for everyone,” says Ross I’Anson.
The most popular comment on our Facebook page is from an ex-Ōmokoroa resident who moved to Wānaka, blaming NZ First for the lack of progress on 4-laning. “Too many lives have been lost. Failing infrastructure was one of the reasons we moved away. The over-development of the peninsula has added greatly to traffic woes,” she says. Feedback on NZTA’s website closes at 5pm on Monday 18th November. Inset: Draft plans to 4-lane Tauranga to Francis Road in Ōmokoroa were sent to potentially affected local landowners in January 2018. Three months later, NZTA declined our request for higher quality versions of the images.
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