3-D crossings to help keep students safe

The Dunedin City Council is  introducing new 3-D pedestrian crossings in Clyde St, but says the initiative could be just the start of a wider programme.

The council announced yesterday it would install two  three-dimensional crossings on Clyde St.

One would be added at the intersection of Clyde St and Union St East, while the other went in just north of the Leith River.

The crossings would be painted on the road to create an optical illusion, appearing 3-D to motorists while being flat for pedestrians, and would help keep students safe in the busy tertiary quarter.

Council planning and environment committee chairman Cr David Benson-Pope said the initiative would address safety concerns with "style and fun".

The crossing at Clyde St/Union St East intersection would be painted with feet walking under zebra stripes, while the crossing north of the Leith River would have "a river theme", he said. Council urban design team leader Crystal Filep said the crossings would build on the city’s growing street art and other creative projects.

"Like the poems on steps project, 3-D crossings make the city more interesting to walk around."

The crossings would be produced by "world-renowned" Melbourne-based artist Jenny McCracken, hosted by the University of Otago and working with Dunedin artist Guy Howard-Smith.

Other traffic-calming measures, including speed humps and warning signs, were also planned to improve pedestrian safety.

The project was expected to cost $140,000, including an artist’s fee, paint and materials, traffic management costs, site management and the wider safety improvements, a council spokeswoman added.

The work began yesterday and was expected to be finished next week. More crossings could be added at other sites around the city, she said.

chris.morris@odt.co.nz