Safety barrier installed at Tauranga black spot

A bottle, flowers and hat mark the spot on SH29a near Maungatapu Bridge where Calum Gilmour, 18, was killed. NZTA are installing a new safety barrier in reduce the risk of head-on crashes. Photo/file

A flexible safety barrier is being installed on one of the Western Bay of Plenty's worst stretches of road for serious and fatal crashes.

From today State Highway 29a near the east end of the Maungatapu Bridge will host the 1.3 kilometre long median barrier.

The New Zealand Transport Agency introduced a temporary barrier last year when they relocated the passing lane further east. The temporary barrier was designed to help motorists get used to the permanent fixture, being installed today.

An NZTA spokeswoman said the permanent barrier removed the risk of head-on crashes and the relocation of the passing lane helped managed speed around the corner.

The work was being carried out by Waiotahi Contractors at a cost of about $1 million.

Associated work includes pavement widening, earthworks, service relocations, traffic signs and markings.

The works come after several serious crashes in the area in recent years, including the death of 18-year-old Calum Gilmour in October 2015.

Road fatalities on Western Bay roads in 2016

- April 16: Cyclist Shinia Matehaere, 5, killed after a collision with a ute on Matapihi Rd.

- May 7: Tauranga man Dion Pollero, 29, killed after collision with a truck on the Kaimai Range.

- May 21: Te Hira Whittaker-Ngaropo, 12, and his brother Chance, 16, killed on SH2 in Pikowai.

- July 11: Suzanne Langlois, 45, killed on SH2 east of Katikati after a collision with another car.

- July 29: Leigh Rhodes, 60, and friend Kenny McRae were killed when they were struck by vehicle while changing a tyre between Baypark and Maungatapu.

- August 2: Sitiveni Vaipulu, 44, Koli Vaipulu, 21, Halani Fine, 28, Samuela Taukatelata, 28, and Sione Teulaka, 21, died after their car collided with a logging truck near Dawson Rd.

- August 27: Bay elder Paula Heke was killed when her car was in a collision with another on Te Puna Rd.

- October 7: Shayne Peter Waaka, 40, was killed in two-car collision on the Lower Kaimai Range.

- October 13: Martin John Ferry, 30, was killed after his truck-and-trailer unit collided with a logging truck on the intersection of SH2 and Pongakawa Station Rd.

- November 23: American tourist Carol Ann MacMillan, 71, was killed when a truck hit her while she was cycling.