Hamilton Crash blackspot options discussed

A proposed short term roundabout for the Thomas Road and Gordonton Road intersection. Photo / Hamilton City Council

A permanent 60 km/h speed limit could be coming to the Gordonton Road corridor in Hamilton between Rototuna and Huntington North to prevent further accidents at the Gordonton and Thomas Rd intersection.

At a growth and infrastructure committee meeting on Tuesday, the city council was updated about the potential changes to prevent crashes at the intersection.

Council staff presented two options for short-term solutions which involve either a small roundabout or putting traffic lights at the intersection.

Both options would require the Gordonton Rd corridor to be dropped to a permanent 60 km/h speed limit.

Traffic lights are the preferred solution, as it is more flexible and it can better accommodate cyclists.

On October 16 last year, variable speed signs were put in place after several serious accidents. The signs bring the speed limit on part of Gordonton road down from 80km/h to 60km/h at peak traffic times.

"The variable electronic signs were switched on last year and since then we have actually had four crashes at the location, two minor and two non-injury," council staff reported to the committee.

"We are actually seeing a drop in speeds when the signs are off."

"The fact that we have still had four crashes means we still have to do something."

There had previously been 15 crashes with three of those serious since January 1 2017 before the signs were installed.

Last year the council asked staff to look into the construction of a possible roundabout at the intersection the same as Wairere Drive one at Huntington North. On Tuesday staff reported the long-term roundabout needed would require a large land footprint and would put the project back one or two years.

Councillor Mark Bunting asked how quickly it would take to change the speed limit to allow one of the short-term options to be put in place.

A speed change would roughly take two months with the council needing to consult with the public beforehand.

Mayor Andrew King praised councillors who had originally pushed for changes to be made to the intersection.

"Well done. I suspect you have already saved a life," Mr King said.