A car crashing into a wire median barrier on State Highway 2 in the Western Bay has reignited demands by residents for removal of the obstacles.
Wright Rd residents have protested and petitioned against the barriers installed as part of a project by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).
A spokesperson for Wright Rd residents, Fin McDonald, said they have long said the current installation was dangerous and want it changed.
A press release based on the recent accident and a 268-page “feasibility study” provided to SunLive by McDonald, claimed the “startling vehicle incident… once again casts a spotlight on a controversial barrier layout implemented by NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Waka Kotahi, prompting renewed calls from residents and business owners for an urgent design review”.
McDonald said there was a 55m gap between the bridge and the start of the median barrier, with the carriageway width at the minimum requirement of 3.4m.
“This constrained space leaves little room for error in wet or low‑visibility conditions, contributing to the vehicle mounting the barrier and ending up precariously elevated.”
Residents and businesses have raised concerns since NZTA’s installation of wire rope barriers between Waihī and Ōmokoroa started in 2021.
The barriers prevent right turns on and off the highway to Wright Rd. Photo / David Hall
“These barriers blocked safe right turns into Wright Rd, with some drivers making dangerous, hazardous U‑turns and occasional wrong‑side driving manoeuvres,” said McDonald.
NZTA spokeswoman Kaity Alexander said SH2 between Waihī and Tauranga became known as the “Horror Highway” around 2016.
“There was significant public outcry to fix the road, including action groups, petitions and roadside protests, which garnered national media attention.”
A programme business case was developed and endorsed by the NZTA board. This included an assessment against the then Government Policy Statement on land transport.
After this, the then Transport Minister announced a package to improve SH2 safety between Tauranga and Waihī with a budget of $520 million for the “key Tauranga route”.
“Safety improvements have been progressively carried out along this stretch of state highway with a median barrier installed on the section of SH2 between Morton Rd and Matahui Rd roundabouts in July 2024,” said Alexander. Installation started progressively from mid-July.
“Since September 2024 until today, there have been nine recorded incidents by NZTA of left, right and central median barrier damage at differing sites between Dawson Rd and Wright Rd – incidents which could have resulted in serious injury to road users.”
Alexander said there are many reasons why the car may have struck the barrier.
“Drivers are reminded to adjust their speed and driving behaviour to match the current road, weather and traffic situations.”
Police were alerted to a crash on State Highway 2 at Katikati after a driver lost control and crashed into wire barriers about 7.50pm on July 29 this year. Photo / Supplied
Crash incident
A police spokesman said police were alerted to a crash on SH2 at Katikati at 7.50pm on July 29.
He said the report shows the driver had lost control and crashed into the wire barriers.
“The driver was warned for careless driving and was issued with an infringement notice for failing to drive within the lane.”
There were no injuries reported.
The spokesman said motorists should drive to the conditions, and in wet weather that may mean slowing down so you have time to react to what’s in front of you.
“The posted speed limit is not a target and it takes a lot longer to stop if you have to put the brakes on when driving on a wet road.”