A former roading project manager has suggested re-routing North East Valley traffic under the George St overbridge and not allowing traffic from Great King St to cross State Highway1 (Pine Hill Rd).
It could be a safe interim solution, as installing traffic lights would clearly be dangerous, he said.
The vast majority of crashes at the intersection since 2015 have involved vehicles crossing SH1.
Among the problems are inadequate sight lines, signs and layout.
However, two crashes resulted from truck drivers losing control while heading downhill on SH1.
The solution favoured in a business case endorsed by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is for a flyover at a possible cost of $25million.
Waka Kotahi has said this was unlikely to be economic and a more modest programme of safety improvements — possibly including traffic signals — could be pursued.
The idea of traffic lights has received a firm thumbs-down from truck drivers spoken to by the Otago Daily Times, as they fear worse traffic congestion and heightened risk associated with brake failure.
The former roading manager, who did not want to be identified, said stopping cross traffic at the Pine Hill intersection seemed to be a safe and cheap alternative.
A change in configuration could also allow truck drivers to avoid having to start the hill climb in such a low gear, he said.
Restricting through movement and diverting traffic to George St is listed among options in the business case.
However, consultancy Stantec said a safety problem could move to George St and ‘‘achievability might be hampered by public opposition’’.
Waka Kotahi said all options remained on the table.
Past modelling had indicated shifting traffic to George St would result in a very congested afternoon peak there.
A planned upgrade of George St in the city centre — giving it a much greater pedestrian focus — would not make the option less feasible.
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Speed and poor driver behaviour at the intersection there would markedly improve with a bit of enforcement. That should also be part of the toolkit methinks.
Closing off access to through traffic to the Gardens sounds like a good plan. re routing under George St bridge a good idea. The photo shows a black vehicle crossing in front of a heavily laden truck. Bad move. It must be really scary for truck drivers. coming down that hill and seeing people cut across in a bid to beat a truck.
Far to simple, cheap, and no consultation fees paid to "friends" of the council ... it'll never get approved !!
"Among the problems are inadequate sight lines, signs and layout."
"traffic lights has received a firm thumbs-down from truck drivers"
"poor driver behaviour at the intersection"
How about sensors and cameras placed up the hill, controlling stop lights ?
1. Give downhill traffic the right of way for truck safety
1a. Remove the left hand turn off SH1 onto Gt King St Nth
2. Give NEV traffic the default green light to ease traffic flow
2a. Straighten the road through the intersection
2b. Place lights (constant yellow flashing) before the stop lights on Gt King St.
The Netherlands have developed traffic light systems that uses sensors, camaras and logic to control traffic lights with the aim of moving the most people efficiently and safely but WE USE 1980's based sensor and timer systems here.
Maybe their technology could be used to enhance cycle, scooter, pedestrian and motor traffic all along the inner city SH1 in both directions solving many other issues at the same time.
Why the Dutch Wait Less at Traffic Lights ( https://youtu.be/knbVWXzL4-4 )
Why is the Stantec proposal getting a second run via the ODT?
The idea that you close one of only two access points for North East valley and Opoho traffic is just short sighted and will result in increased congestion. And if or when an accident happens on George St access to the northern areas will be blocked.
Sorry, it might be a cheap solution, but it is a very poor option.
It would mean re-routing a lot of traffic past a primary school. Heaps of congestion at certain times of the day.
I honestly don't know why they haven't rerouted traffic under the George St overbridge long before now, instead of that stupid short cut across SH1. It would be simpler and safer.
A temporary solution is simple. Re-align the approach angle to the stop sign, so the downhill traffic is not approaching precisely from the driver's A-pillar blindspot.
Some MPVs and SUVs have massive A-pillars.
If the approach angle was perpendicular, the driver would have a clear view through the left window.