Roading campaigner Chris Glover says plans for lights at the intersection at Kāpiti and Rimu Roads in Paraparaumu is misguided.
Work has started on the second stage of the upgrade of the intersection upgrade with the initial undergrounding of existing overhead services.
The first stage of the project involved moving the Kāpiti Primary School staff carpark and the child drop-off area around to the back of the school in Ngahina Place opposite the Community Centre.
Mr Glover said the current roundabout with a few modifications would be fine.
“Traffic lights are not the answer. They will not make traffic flows better and can only make things worse. Consultants have a lot of money to make on this project the way Council wants it. The more cost the more they make and it is completely unnecessary,” said Mr Glover.
Council’s Group Manager Infrastructure Sean Mallon said it is a major intersection upgrade and motorists are advised that delays can be expected over the coming months.
“While every effort will be made to limit or reduce the effects of the construction works, we suggest motorists try to avoid the intersection if possible. For example, Paraparaumu Beach residents driving to Coastlands could use Raumati Road to avoid delays at the Kāpiti /Rimu Rd intersection.”
The main contract, which involves the widening of Kāpiti Road and Rimu Road leading up to the intersection and the installation of traffic lights, has been awarded to Fulton Hogan Ltd for $985,000.
The road widening work will start in the week of May 23 and is expected to be completed by late August 2011.
Current users of the roadside parking on Kāpiti Road and Rimu Road in the vicinity of the intersection will need to make alternative parking arrangements.
Pedestrian safety crossing Kāpiti Road is paramount so the zebra crossing, including the School Patrol, will remain until the traffic lights are in operation.
The works include wider footpaths, cycle lanes on the approaches to the intersection and additional through traffic lanes.
Mr Glover says the project is a huge waste of ratepayers money when there is a huge amount of evidence to show a roundabout in this situation is a much better option.
