Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
State Highway 2 in Upper Hutt is now much safer for drivers; with intersection upgrades and a speed review all now complete at the Moonshine Hill Road intersection.
The work has been critical in addressing a high-risk section of the State Highway 2 corridor in Upper Hutt.
New traffic lights have been installed at the intersection of State Highway 2 and Moonshine Hill Road, and a lower 80 km/h speed limit (reduced from 100 km/h) approved on the highway from just south of Moonshine Hill Road to just north of Whakatiki Street. The lights and new speed limit will be operating from 1 December.
Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island/Top of the South, says both measures are critical for making the highway safer for drivers.
“The new intersection allows traffic to safely turn on and off the highway, reducing the risk of high-speed side-on collisions. The reduced speed limit also slows traffic, making any crashes less severe and less likely to cause serious or fatal injuries.”
Mr Owen says over the past five years there have been an average of 13 crashes on this section of State Highway 2 every year.
“One was fatal, and five resulted in serious injuries. That’s why it has been so important for us to make this stretch of State Highway 2 safer.”
“Our analysis shows the lower speed limit will lead to a predicted 26% reduction in injury crashes, and the new traffic lights will make it much easier and safer for drivers turning onto and off Moonshine Hill Road,” Mr Owen says.
He says the lower speed limit will not have a major impact on peoples’ travel.
“Our estimates show an increased journey time of just 11 and a half seconds. That is more than outweighed by the benefits the new safety measures will bring.”
Serious and fatal crashes devastate families and bring huge social costs. They also cause significant disruption to roading networks. Safer roads bring major benefits for us all,’ Mr Owen says.
Mr Owen says the new traffic lights at the new intersection will be operational from when the new lower speed limit is implemented.
“This will take effect as of next Monday – 1 December. As with any new infrastructure and changes to the highway network, we expect there will be a bedding-in period as drivers get used to the new layout and the new speed limit.”
“It is really important drivers familiarise themselves with the changes and take extra care on this section of State Highway 2,” Mr Owen says.
