The proposed roundabout at Piarere.
Waka Kotahi has the go ahead to continue planning for a roundabout to deal with a nightmare intersection.
The Environment Court has approved its proposal to replace the T-intersection on State Highway 1 at Piarere with a 60-metre diameter roundabout just north of the existing site.
The hearing was held online from September 5 to 8 last year and the decision released last Wednesday after The News went to press.
In his judgment Chief Environment Court Judge David Fitzpatrick noted from 2017 to 2021 there were 22 crashes at the intersection, resulting in two deaths and three serious injuries.
“Two more recent crashes in late July and early August 2022 illustrate that the intersection is an ongoing safety risk despite warning signs being installed in 2019.”
The intersection is also the cause of long delays as traffic – much of it carrying goods from the Port of Tauranga – trying to get out of SH29 waits to head north.
And it was dealing with the delays that Cambridge resident John Hansen concentrated on when he opposed the plan and suggested a flyover was far more logical. Hansen, who discussed his views with The News, said a roundabout would not solve the problem of traffic queues forming.
“Mr Hansen’s case was principally concerned with advancing his position that the intersection should be reconfigured as a grade separated flyover rather than a roundabout as that would be more efficient, especially for heavy vehicles,” Judge Fitzpatrick said.
Waka Kotahi countered that saying a grade separation would have only slight safety benefits over a roundabout and could be more expensive and require more land.
The court found that no evidence was presented by Hansen in support of his position and “we are satisfied that a thorough assessment of alternatives was undertaken by NZTA.”
When the issue went to the Environment Court, Hansen’s was the only voice being heard in person to oppose the plan.
Neighbouring landowners Thistlehurst Dairy Limited (TDL) had argued the Resource Management Act process was not correct and the project would compromise farming operations, reduce available high value soils for farming and did not take into account climate change.
TDL withdrew its interest last November after reaching a settlement with Waka Kotahi.
Among supporters or part supporters of the plan were the National Fieldays Society, the Automobile Association, New Zealand Heavy Haulage, Taupō MP Louise Upston and the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce.
Waka Kotahi expect the project to take 18 months to complete. A lane will also be created in anticipation of the Waikato Expressway being extended south of Piarere.
