Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Two pedestrian refuges will be installed on State Highway 6 in Nelson in May. One is planned for Annesbrook Drive and another for Tāhunanui Drive.
They will make it easier for people to cross the road to access businesses, houses, and bus stops, while maintaining safe and consistent access for traffic.
Pedestrian refuges, also known as pedestrian islands, provide a safe place for pedestrians to wait in the centre of a road. They make it safer and easier for them to cross busy roads in stages.
Contractors will install the refuge islands from Tuesday, 7 May to Wednesday, 22 May. They will be contained within the existing flush median at both locations.
The first will be built on Annesbrook Drive (outside 216 Annesbrook Drive), and it is expected to be completed within five days.
Once finished, contractors will construct the second refuge on Tāhunanui Drive in front of St Stephen’s Church and McDonalds.
Work on both refuges will occur Monday to Friday between 8 am and 5 pm.
At the final stages of each refuge, one or two nights of work between 7 pm and midnight will be needed to lift the refuges into place.
During the night work, stop/go traffic management will be in place, with temporary speed limits of 30km/h. Drivers should expect approximately five-minute delays when driving through the sites.
All entries and exits to businesses and residents will remain open during construction. However, some parking spaces will be temporarily blocked due to traffic management. As part of the refuge work, a small number of parking spaces are being permanently removed.
The machinery used for the work will be noisy, and we apologise for disruption it may cause. Contractors will do their best to minimise the impact by completing the noisiest work by 7 pm each night.
NZTA/Waka Kotahi wants to thank drivers, affected residents, and businesses for their patience and cooperation while this work is underway. The refuges are an important improvement and will make it much safer for pedestrians to cross the road.
Works schedule and location
- Tuesday 7 May to Wednesday 22 May. Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Nightworks (7 pm to midnight) required towards the end of installation at each site.
- Annesbrook Drive – work begins 7 May
- Tahunanui Drive – work begins 15 May
- Lane shifts, shoulder closures, stop/go traffic management, and 30 km/h temporary speed limits will be in place at work sites
- Drivers can expect delays of around five minutes
- Pedestrians and cyclists will be accommodated through or around the sites during the work
- Construction is weather-dependent, and timings may change.
SH6 Annesbrook Drive pedestrian refuge (outside 216 Annesbrook Drive).
SH6 Tāhunanui Drive pedestrian refuge (outside St Stephen’s Church and McDonalds).
