The current design layout for the pedestrian island. Photo / LDR
“They’ve [NZTA] got limited budgets as well and they’ve got to prioritise where their money is and maybe they don’t see this as a priority but our community does.
“We get this is probably no different than Orongo Corner … I can understand where they’re at.”
However, events at either the rugby club or Morgan Park brought so much traffic that “you’re running the gauntlet to get across a busy stretch of highway”.
Because the road is a highway, NZTA is the road controlling authority, a Hauraki District Council agenda said.
However, an NZTA spokesperson told Local Democracy Reporting there was limited funding in the National Land Transport Fund and the priority was “the maintenance and renewal of existing cycleways and footpaths”.
The crossing has been on the mayor’s radar for nearly 20 years after seeing his own kids cross the road.
“This is actually a moment in time where we’re going to look back and go, ‘why didn’t we do this sooner?’” Adams said.
The road crossing is only set to become busier as nearby sports services grow. Photo / Jordan Smith, Waikato Times (single use)
The cost for the project totalled $86,000 when the council first approved installation in September last year.
Further work on the location of the crossing increased the cost, council staff said. The new price tag allows for “consultation with NZTA, further design works, project management and construction of the pedestrian crossing”, according to the agenda.
The location is “the best possible” and keeps open the option for a full pedestrian crossing, services delivery group manager Adrian de Laborde said.
The report was passed unanimously, garnering support from many councillors.
Waihī Ward councillor Austin Rattray knows well the dangers crossing the road holds. Photo / Kelly Hodel, Waikato Times
Waihī general ward councillor Austin Rattray described the road as “an accident waiting to happen”.
He added he was “surprised” there hadn’t been an incident in the last few years given the foot traffic, especially with the developments at Morgan Park.
“Our rugby club is so full across the weekend and even on Fridays. In Morgan Park you’ve got squash, you’ve got the pump track,” councillor Amanda Ryan added.
“There’s a lot of users using our sports.”
Half of the funding is set to come from the Waihī Ward discretionary fund, with the remaining 30% and 20% funded through the district discretionary fund and council’s access and mobility budget.
Once finalised, the council agenda read that NZTA has “indicated support” for the project, with the spokesperson adding the organisation will “review the design of the pedestrian refuge island and must approve any works on a state highway”.
The island is set to be completed in March 2027 pending NZTA approval in September.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.