News
Clutha-Southland MP Todd Barclay has welcomed the announcement today that a $15 million road safety engineering programme, designed to help keep all road users safe on key tourist routes in the South Island, has been given the green light.
The funding, announced today by Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss, is part of the $25 million road safety package for visiting drivers announced by the Government late last year.
“This is good news for all road users, including the increasing number of overseas visitors who are choosing to explore our country by car,” Mr Barclay says.
In Otago, Southland and the West Coast, this engineering programme will include signage and marking improvements, barriers, intersection treatments, hazard removal, shoulder widening and sealing on state highways.
“The Clutha-Southland electorate has some of the most stunning scenery and attractions in the country and we want all drivers to experience the area as safe, attractive and accessible,” Mr Barclay says.
“Nobody embarks on their holiday in New Zealand with the intention of getting into an accident and putting lives in danger, so this is another great initiative to help enhance safety for all road users.”
The safety engineering programme comes on top of a range of other roading initiatives in Otago and Southland commenced or completed recently, including:
- 154 new curve signs have been installed on SH6 from Lumberbox Creek near Queenstown to Kingston
- 26 new curve signs have been installed on SH94, along with a safety barrier at Rocky Point near Mossburn
- Signage at 22 rest areas has been upgraded to give drivers more advance warning in Southland and Otago
- 175 kilometres of centre-line ‘rumble strips’2200 kilometres of highway marked with ‘keep left’ arrows
- 140 kilometres of ‘no-passing’ markings15 traffic courtesy signs to encourage slower drivers to let traffic pass
The engineering programme will be completed over the 2016/17 and 2017/18 summer construction seasons.