Suzy Hurst narrowly escaped a head-on crash in the middle of State Highway 2 roadworks at Aongatete. Photo / George Novak
Suzy Hurst narrowly escaped a head-on crash in the middle of State Highway 2 roadworks at Aongatete. Photo / George Novak
A former road safety professional says roadworks on a notorious Bay of Plenty highway are putting people in "unbelievable danger".
Her comments come after she experienced a near-miss with a driver travelling on the wrong side of the road.
However, Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency says road markings, roadcones, steel barriers and advance warning signage are being used to alert people to the speed limit and change in road layout.
And the district's mayor says the agency has extensively publicised the roadworks.
Suzy Hurst was driving on State Highway 2 between Katikati and Tauranga last week when she saw an oncoming car in her lane travelling directly towards her.
State Highway 2 roadworks at Aongatete, where the road has been temporarily narrowed to one-lane traffic in each direction. Photo / George Novak
She was travelling north through roadworks near Morton Rd. The section of highway has been narrowed for the roadworks, meaning northbound traffic is now using what used to be a southbound passing lane.
She said she believed the driver travelling on the wrong side of the road was "accustomed to overtaking there".
Hurst, who worked in roading and transport for 14 years in Kāpiti before moving to Katikati, said in her opinion, changing a passing lane into a corridor for traffic travelling in the opposite direction was risky.
"People are accustomed to passing lanes ... Next minute, it's not there."
She said the incident had her in tears.
"It had the potential to be a horrific accident."
Hurst said she notified Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), the organisation overseeing the Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety upgrade.
Hurst said she did not want a blame game but felt she should share her experience to make other drivers using that road more aware.
"I can't see NZTA changing what they are doing ... I just think the advance warning [about the change in layout] needs to be better."
Hurst said the section of SH2 between Katikati and Tauranga was "not a good road" and she supported lowering the speed limit.
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The stretch of highway is considered one of New Zealand's most dangerous roads, having claimed at least 60 lives in the past 20 years.
Hurst's concerns about the road layout were put to the transport agency.
Acting portfolio delivery manager Jo Wilton said the organisation was carrying out road widening and there was a 50km/h temporary speed limit in place.
Contractors were using VMS boards, road markings, road cones, steel barriers and advance warning signs to alert people to the speed limit and change in road layout at the passing lane south of Wright Rd "both through the site and up to 500m before the change to road layout".
Asked whether the agency would make any changes in response to Hurst's concerns, Wilton said it would continue to monitor all traffic management to ensure it was fit for purpose.
Western Bay of Plenty District councillor Christina Humphreys says the roadworks situation on SH2 between Katikati and Tauranga is "awful". Photo / File
"The current set up will be in place for at least six months. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency continue to request people to slow down to the temporary speed limits and follow the direction of temporary traffic management staff and signage along this corridor to keep themselves, other motorists and the crews working on the road safe."
Western Bay of Plenty mayor Garry Webber said the agency had carried out extensive publicity about the SH2 works and, in his view, people needed to take some personal responsibility for being aware of changes.
"It takes some people a long time to change their habits," he said.
"This is a big project on a road that was recognised as one of the worst roads in New Zealand. They are trying to improve road safety."
Western Bay councillor representing Katikati, Christina Humphreys, said there was a big concern in the community about this particular section of roadworks.
New lower speed limits in the area had made some people impatient and this frustration was seeping out in areas of the highway where people were used to overtaking, she said.
"It's just awful."
Katikati ward representative councillor James Denyer said NZTA had a tough balancing act of keeping people safe while also getting work done and creating new road layouts.
"It has been a frustration of some people that speed limits are slow but perhaps this is a reminder of why they are like that."
Responding to Humphreys' concerns, an agency spokeswoman said lower permanent speed limits were needed to reduce the number of crashes and resulting deaths and serious injuries - prioritising people's safety.
