24 January 2018

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Springfield/Otonga intersection roadworks

Enquiry

I've heard that the work going on to upgrade the roundabout has caused big delays for motorists. I was wondering if the council has received any complaints from people or local businesses regarding the situation?

Also, when will the work be completed by, and what was the budget for the project?

(I'll be speaking to a few people about this today, so I may come back to you with additional questions depending on what comments are made)

Further questions:

Business owners say business has dropped significantly because people have become frustrated with the delays and are bypassing the area.

I also spoke to Raj Kumar, who raised a few points that probably need a response.

He said there should be signage at the site to inform members of the public about the project, the timeframe, and the cost, and he said there needed to be more transparency around the project.

He questioned whether a different system, rather than the traffic lights, could have been used to control traffic, and said it was unclear what the actual cost of the project was.

Could you please tell me what options were considered for the management of traffic while work is underway?

How many tenders were there for the project, and what is the total cost of the project expected to be?

Will the first stage of the work be completed by the start of the school term, as it was expected to?

In regards to Raj's comments, I believe he was keen to see more signage around the area with details about the project, and more information released about the cost and timeframe of the project. He wanted people to be kept more up to date- he said a lot of people had been coming into his shop to ask for information because they didn't have many details about what was going on.

Response

The following information was provided:

Council has received no complaints about delays at the intersection. Two complaints received regarding the project were related to the project in general and meetings were held with both of the people concerned.

The project is scheduled for completion mid-April (weather dependent) but works immediately outside the school will be finished before the 2018 school year starts.

There are four standard project billboards at the work site which include the name of the project and expected completion time.

The budget allocated for the total project, which includes intersection improvements and CyWay works (53% of which is funded by NZTA) was $490,000.

The contractors determine the most appropriate methods for traffic management. Given space restrictions and the nature of the work being undertaken, temporary traffic signals were deemed most appropriate for this site. Temporary traffic signals work differently to permanent lights - they are activated by sensors so timing will vary depending on traffic demand at any given time.

Council received one tender for the project.

Regarding information/communications about the project:

• Several letters have been hand delivered to residents and businesses since December 2016 including all of Springfield Road, Otonga to McDowell Street and Otonga (north end) and the businesses at the intersection. Updates have also been issued via news releases, on Council's website and via social media and through the Otonga School newsletter.
• Council staff have met with Councillor Raj Kumar at his business several times to discuss the project and he offered to liaise with other business owners and pass on information.
• Elected members have been updated on the project through the Operations & Monitoring Committee and via regular updates they receive for all CyWay projects (the Springfield intersection upgrade is included in this as it now has a cycleway element).
• Council staff have met with the Otonga School Board of Trustees twice.
• Contractors have also spoken to staff of the businesses at the site and Opus representatives have been communicating with Councillor Kumar about the project, especially since the construction started, including meetings at his business where they have provided contact details to call them directly should he or residents have any concerns.

Background

• Since 2010 there have been two cycling crashes and seven vehicle accidents at the intersection. Ōtonga Primary School Board of Trustees asked Council to look at options to improve the safety of this intersection for students and parents.
• Feedback from businesses, residents and parents of Otonga students supported the need for safety improvements at the roundabout.
• The three main factors in addressing the safety issues were:
• The number of incidents recorded
• The significant number of unaccompanied children crossing
• The establishment of Ōtonga school zoning, resulting in an increase in the number of children and parents walking to and from school Options considered
• From November 2016 to May 2017 Council staff, supported by specialists, carried out extensive user/traffic modelling, observations and research into available options to improve safety at the intersection.
• Options considered included widening the road, one way streets, traffic signals and pedestrian controlled lights.
• Following all assessments the decision was made to create a raised platform roundabout with pedestrian crossings on the busiest arms.

Design

• The raised platform pedestrian crossings which are being constructed at the intersection are designed to encourage drivers to slow significantly as they enter the roundabout.
• Crossings are being installed across the two busiest roundabout exit/entry points (see map at THIS LINK on Council's website).
• Infrastructure is installed underground should there be a need for traffic signals in the future.
• Otonga School has helped with design of the crossing and shared paths outside the school area.
• The changes will create one additional carpark outside the businesses at the intersection.

Going forward

• Council will be working with the school to find ways to ease congestions for parents dropping off and collecting their children.
• There is an alternative entrance to the school from Springfield Road behind Jackson Park kindy.
• The school is working with Council staff on three walking school bus routes so parents can drop their children off at an alternative location and they will be walked to school with supervisors. The school chose three routes which have been assessed by the contractors for suitability.
• With zoning now in place we are encouraging parents to consider walking or biking their children to school, especially those families who live close to the school