The rollout of a new Intersection Speed Zone (ISZ) at a busy Brightwater intersection has been delayed until late September due to equipment supply issues.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says delays in sourcing required equipment mean installation and testing can no longer be completed under the original timeline.
While initial construction work is expected to be finished this week as planned, the final phase of works is now scheduled for mid-September.
The ISZ will become operational about one to two weeks after those works are completed and final on-site testing is finished.
The new ISZ is being installed at the Ellis Street and River Terrace Road intersection on SH6 Brightwater Deviation/Lightband Road.
NZTA director regional relationships, Emma Speight, says the ISZ will make it safer and easier for people turning into and out of Ellis Street and River Terrace Road.
“What people will see is contractors installing sensors below the road surface and electronic variable speed limit signs on the roadside.
“The signs will temporarily lower the legal speed limit on a short section of the highway from 80 kmh to 60 kmh when vehicles are turning into or out of Ellis Street or River Terrace Road. At all other times, the speed limit will remain at 80 kmh,” Emma says.
The project responds to community concerns about safety at the intersection.
“We’ve heard what people have said and we’re making this section of the highway safer. It’s a practical way to help reduce the risk of serious crashes at this intersection, while keeping traffic moving at the normal pace when the lower speed limit is not needed.”
“When the signs are active, people travelling on SH6 will need to slow down to 60 km/h as they pass through the zone. The lower speed limit is legally enforceable whenever the signs are operating. That gives everyone more time to see what’s happening at the intersection and to turn on and off the highway more safely,” Emma says.
How it works
The ISZ will cover about 350 metres of SH6, with the intersection at its centre.
The 60 kmh variable speed limit signs will activate when a vehicle is approaching SH6 from Ellis Street or River Terrace Road, or when a vehicle on SH6 is waiting to turn right into either road.
When the signs are active, the 60 kmh speed limit is legally enforceable and motorists must comply.
NZ Transport Agency estimates the ISZ will add about one second to travel times while reducing injury crashes by about 28%.
