Members of the Waiotapu community say they have waited long enough for road improvements in the area and welcome news they are a step closer.
The NZ Transport Agency is holding four consultation sessions next week about proposed improvements to a 47km stretch of road between Rainbow Mountain and Wairakei.
Improvements for the stretch of road were first announced in April 2017 and NZTA now plans to start work on the northern section at Waiotapu by the end of the year.
Between 2006 and 2015, 12 people died and 42 were seriously injured on the stretch of highway.
NZTA is proposing widening the road shoulder and the centreline, adding roadside barriers and improving signage and road markings.
The notorious Waiotapu intersection. Photo / File
In a newsletter delivered to residents, NZTA said the 100km/h speed limit at Waiotapu was also an issue and formal consultation on a lower limit would also be undertaken.
Waiotapu business owner Russell Berry said his biggest question was what was taking so long.
"We've been talking about it for 15 years. Police say it's got to be done and we need to reduce the speed limit but nothing happens and we have crashes here all the time."
Berry said he wanted the speed limit to be reduced to 70km/h.
"I've been here 55 years and there's probably a serious accident a couple of times a year.
"A lower speed limit is absolutely essential and I don't know why it's going to take so long.
"I'm deeply concerned."
Sandy Nicholls, a resident who works at the Waiotapu Tavern, said there were regular accidents and near-misses at the intersection of Waiotapu Loop Rd and State Highway 5.
"Every day you'll hear horns. That can happen four or five times a day. As summer's coming it's getting even more frequent.
"You sit here and think 'that was a close one'."
NZTA regional transport systems manager for the Bay of Plenty Rob Campbell said he knew the community supported a review of the speed limit.
"We expect to be able to undertake formal consultation on the proposed lower speed limits in the near future."
This month there were two crashes in four days at Waiotapu on SH5.
There was a two-car crash outside the tavern on October 7 and there were no serious injuries.
Then on October 10 one person was injured when a van rolled.
NZTA's proposed improvements focus on three sections of the highway with higher crash rates.
They are the northern end towards State Highway 38, centrally around Mihi and at the southern end near Wairakei.
Have your say - October 23, 5pm to 7pm, Reporoa War Memorial Hall. - October 24, 12pm to 2pm, Taupō District Council. - October 25, 12pm to 2pm, Te Manawa, Tutanekai St, Rotorua. - October 26, 2.30pm to 4pm, Mihi School Hall, Reporoa. - If you can't make it contact Laura Ager on 027 288 9796 or laura.ager@saferoads.co.nz. - Visit nzta.govt.nz/wairakei-sh38-have-your-say.
