Roundabouts to stop speeding in Miro & Goldfinch Streets proposed

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 561, 8 November 1994, Page 1

Roundabouts to stop speeding in Miro & Goldfinch Streets proposed

Mini-roundabouts are to be built this year at Miro Street/Shannon Street, Miro Street/Ayr Street intersections, and next financial year on the Goldfinch Street/Conway Street corner, to try to cut down on speeding in the street. Trial precast concrete traffic islands are to be placed on Ohakune Raetihi Road at Clyde Street. The Waimarino Community Board received a report on the matter at their meeting last week and

resolved that the 'minor traffic safety improvements' should be carried out. The cost of the Miro Street work is estimated at $20,000; the Goldfinch St work at $ 1 2,000, and the Ohakune Raetihi Road islands at $1500 (this to be funded from the Revoked Highway Traffic services maintenance). In his report to the board, district engineer Bruce Dobson said recent studies of accident records and the results of speed camera sites confirmed there

were three problem intersections and two streets which have higher than acceptable speeds. He said all the intersections have a history of injury accidents and numerous near misses. Shannon and Ayr Street intersections have had one fatal accident at each intersection over the last five years. He said Miro Street is currently ranked in the top 10 for the highest percentage of speeding vehicles in the country. He said the problems with the intersections is visibility and high speed. 'To reduce these accidents the intersections need to be more visible from the minor roadside and the traffic on Miro Street needs to be slowed down." He recommended the miniroundabouts and centre-line islands as "the most successful traffic engineering^^^L - - techniques". i|f|y| He said centre-line traffic ■ islands and improved road marking on Ohakune IA/CC Road would sig- VV LL nificantly improve^^ 5ATURPAY

that intersection' s visibility. He said the roundabouts are designed so that full -length semi-trailer units.can turn right without hitting any kerbs, signs or islands, and travel straight through the intersection. He said it was proposed to fund the two Miro St intersections from the Turn to HUI

Ohakune roundabouts planned From Page 1 Minor Safety Projects section of the T ransit N ew Zealand programme, replacing the Pipiriki Road project, as the proposed major upgrade of Pipiriki Road would include the scheduled minor safety work. Mr Dobson said the Conway Street intersection on Goldfinch Street was favoured for the treatment as one on Ayr Street would cause congestion and parking problems.