Everyone deserves to get where they’re going safely - that’s why Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is proposing a range of safety improvements between Taupō Airport and Hātepe.
Mid next year we will start work on our first phase of improvements. We are prioritising wide centrelines and road shoulders (including roadside safety barriers) as well as creating locations to safely pull over along the route.
“We’ve designed a range of safety improvements that will improve safety between Taupō Airport and Hātepe and give people a second chance to make it home,” says David Speirs, Director of Regional Relationships.
“These improvements will take time, but there are steps we can take now, and widening the centrelines will improve safety.”
Long-term, we are proposing to install median wire rope barriers and turnaround facilities. However, we will need to work with the community and landowners to find suitable turnaround locations and finalise the design. In the interim, we are making the road safer by starting with road widening and installation of wide centrelines.
The safety improvements are part of New Zealand’s Road to Zero strategy (developed in partnership with NZ Police, Ministry of Transport, local government and WorkSafe) that has set a target to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads by 40 percent by 2030.
“The recent changes to speed between Taupō and Turangi have helped to make local roads safer,” says Mr Speirs.
“The feedback we received from communities asked us to keep speed limits at 100km/hr between Taupō and Hātepe.”
We want to thank the community for engaging in this conversation.
You can find out more from our project page.
