Traffic lights to improve safety on Christchurch motorway off-ramp
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Traffic lights are being installed at the intersection of Tram Rd and State Highway 1 in Canterbury to improve safety.
A number of serious crashes, including a fatality, over the last decade have prompted NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) to make safety improvements to the Tram Road off-ramp, including lights.
NZTA planned to start work in January and it is expected to take up to four months.
Traffic lights are already in operation at the Tram Rd on-ramp end on to the Christchurch Northern Corridor.
NZTA principal project manager Brendon French said traffic lights would improve the safety and efficiency for those turning right towards Kaiapoi from the off-ramp.
"We will be altering the free left turn to improve the safe merging space for drivers turning on to Tram Rd.
"This includes relocating existing light poles on Tram Rd, and the pole near Greigs Rd, so the merge lane can work more effectively."
New kerb and channel will be installed and the free left hand turn extended.
A 2m-wide cycle lane will also be installed around the free left turn on to Tram Rd.
French said the cycle lane would go through the traffic island to provide a safe crossing point for cyclists travelling west towards Ohoka along Tram Rd.
"Without this feature, cyclists would be riding between the straight through and merge lanes, creating danger for themselves and confusion for the accelerating, merging vehicle drivers."
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon welcomed a safer off-ramp at Tram Rd.
"This issue was first raised with our council following a serious accident a few years ago.
"I sought a meeting with NZTA to raise the issue and it is great to see this long-standing safety issue being addressed."
Traffic Control Systems is the lead contractor, with Isaac Construction doing the pavement surfacing and some kerb and channel work.
The project is expected to cost about $1.4 million.
A temporary 30kph speed limit will be in place, with the off-ramp closed at times.
Drivers will need to use the Ohoka Rd off-ramp and follow the detour via Island Rd to return to Tram Rd, adding about five minutes to their journey.
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⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
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