$7m safety upgrade for Taupo bypass

$7m project will help reduce serious and fatal crashes on the Taupo Bypass section of SH1.

The Government is investing $7m in a major safety upgrade project to help reduce serious and fatal crashes on the Taupo bypass section of State Highway 1.

Associate Minister of Transport Tim Macindoe today announced 10km of the East Taupo Arterial Rd, between the Wairakei roundabout and the State Highway 5 Napier-Taupo Rd roundabout, would be widened and a median flexible safety barrier installed.

Rumble strips would also be added and minor improvements made to the two roundabouts.

"These safety improvements are part of the Government's Safe System approach, which acknowledges that drivers can and do make mistakes," Mr Macindoe said.

"These improvements place greater emphasis on reducing the consequences of mistakes happening.

"The upgrade will mean the road is more forgiving and crashes are less likely to result in deaths and serious injuries."

Between 2009, when the road was completed, and December 2016, two people have died and there have been eight serious crashes on the road.

Loss of control and fatigue have been factors in a number of these crashes, with vehicles crossing the centreline and/or running off the road.

Construction on the safety improvements to the East Taupo Arterial Rd was expected to begin in October and be completed in mid-2018.

The improvements will be delivered by the New Zealand Transport Agency.