In August 2020, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency received $6.8 million as part of the Government’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to deliver safety upgrades to Motueka High Street on State Highway 60 (SH60).
In 2017, we started investigations and engagement with the community, business owners and interested groups about potential short- or medium-term improvements to safety and journey time reliability on the stretch of State Highway 60 that passes through the Motueka town centre.
The proposals focused on the following key areas:
We received more than 250 responses from individuals, stakeholders, organisations and interest groups.
Key findings and further details about the engagement can be found in the engagement report.
SH60 Motueka public engagement summary report [PDF, 3.4 MB]
In late August 2020, we received $6.8 million as part of the Government’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to deliver safety upgrades to Motueka High Street on SH60.
The investment will help upgrade the road with intersection improvements and pedestrian crossing signals.
In November and December 2020, we completed further investigations to refine the safety upgrades. This included surveying the road and digging test pits to understand the ground conditions, and service providers marking underground services with paint on the surface of the road. This work helped inform the designs of the safety improvements for this road.
We are now ready to share the safety improvement designs and start construction on these improvements.
Find out more about the improvements below or download the information sheet.
SH60 Motueka safety improvements information sheet [PDF, 4.7 MB]
We will be constructing a roundabout to improve access onto State Highway 60 at the King Edward Street and Old Wharf Road intersection.
The roundabout will improve safety for everyone using the road. It will have pedestrian zebra crossings on each approach to the roundabout to allow people to safely cross the road.
The whole King Edward Street and Old Wharf Road intersection (roundabout and zebra crossings) will be raised, with a gradual ramp onto and exiting the roundabout.
The raised element encourages safer speeds and improves visibility of pedestrians and cyclists. It is a treatment increasingly being used to improve safety through intersections and at pedestrian crossings.
The zebra crossings will be at the same level of the footpath, making it easier for people to navigate the intersection.
The zebra crossings will be set approximately 6 metres back from roundabout. There are three key safety reasons for this position:
Raised roundabout at King Edward Street and Old Wharf Road intersection
Three sets of signals will be provided on High Street at the following locations:
High Street is a busy road with lots of people driving, walking and riding through the area. By replacing the existing zebra crossings with signalised crossings, we will help people move more safely across the road. The signalised intersections will also help traffic flow better during peak times and make it easier for people to enter High Street from side streets.
We understand there are many people using High Street as a through-road to get to other parts of the Tasman, West Coast and Nelson region. We will ensure there are still efficiencies to the road network by managing the phasing of traffic lights to ensure an appropriate balance of efficiency for both local and through-traffic. It is important we seek the right balance for the safety of all road users including those walking across the road to visit the town centre and businesses on High Street.
Tudor/High Streets intersection
High Street north of Wallace Street
Pah/Greenwood/High Streets intersection
We want everyone who uses our roads to get home safely. Most crashes are caused by a number of contributing factors, but even when speed doesn’t cause the crash, it is most likely to determine whether anyone is killed, injured, or walks away unharmed. A small reduction in speed can make a big difference, especially when cyclists or pedestrians are involved.
In 2017 we spoke with the community about speed limit changes on this road. As some time has passed, we would like to check in again to see what you think about current speed limits on High Street.
We would like to know what you think about the current speed limits on SH60 High Street, from the Wharf Road roundabout to south of Staples Street.
SH60 existing speed limits
CloseTo ensure the safety of cyclists on High Street and at intersections we will provide safe stopping space in front of vehicle traffic (known as advanced stop boxes). This makes cyclists more visible to motorists and gives cyclist a physical head-start at the start of the green phase and safe opportunities to change lanes during the red phase.
The advanced stop boxes will be provided at both signalised intersections and signalised pedestrian crossing locations.
CloseImproving safety at intersections and pedestrian crossings will mean removing some on-street parking. Parking spaces will be removed on High, Tudor, Greenwood and Pah Streets to accommodate the new signalised intersections. The removal of some on-street parking will affect where current mobility, bicycle, loading zone and motorcycle parking is located.
As part of this project we will also be ensuring that directional signage for side street carparking areas will be more visible to those unfamiliar with Motueka.
Parking will also be removed on Old Wharf Road to accommodate the roundabout.
CloseTo install the signals and ensure the safety of people walking across the road, we will need to remove all the large trees on High Street and Tudor Street within the project area. Removing these trees will improve the visibility people walking across the road, making it safer for everyone who uses the road.
We are looking at what low maintenance greenery we could plant to ensure we are contributing positively to the character of Motueka town centre.
CloseAs part of the project we need your feedback on the following elements:
Construction will be staged. We are working towards starting construction of the traffic and pedestrian signals in July 2021 and finishing construction on these signals before December 2021. Construction of the roundabout will commence in September 2021 and expected to be completed no later than April 2022.
We will be pausing construction during the peak summertime (2 December 2021–11 February 2022) to ensure minimal disruption to businesses along High Street and to the Motueka community.
During construction, we will work closely with businesses and the community to make sure there is minimal disruption. We will have further updates around construction timings within the coming months.
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