Stage one, between Andersons Bay and Barnes Dr, began earlier this year and is on schedule for completion next year. The $25 million second stage focuses on the highway route between Barnes Dr and Lookout Point.
New Zealand Transport Agency Caversham Highway Improvements Project manager Simon Underwood said stage two proposed a widening of the highway through Caversham by more than 2m in some places, and a large bridge across the highway linking Mornington Rd with Riselaw Rd at Lookout Point.
Construction was expected to take about 20 months. Under the proposed plan, the highway would be widened to include a kerbed central median, and roadside shoulders would be widened.
To make way for the expansion, Mr Underwood said property numbers 61-109 in Caversham Valley Rd had been purchased, but a further eight properties still needed to be purchased in the Lookout Point area to make way for the bridge across the highway.
Those houses remaining would have improved access and parking via either a separated service lane or widening of the road shoulder, he said.
Traffic would not be able to turn off the highway on to Burnett St. However, traffic on Burnett St would be able to turn left on to the highway. The intersection at Aberfeldy St would also be modified, but there would be no change to access for residents.
The changes meant the speed limit on the highway could be increased from 50kmh to 60kmh. One point of concern about the proposal was access from South Rd to Riselaw Rd and the highway would be closed off under the proposal, Mr Underwood said.
That was because Riselaw Rd would need to be raised about 3.5m to meet the new bridge over the highway. A turnaround area would be formed at the top of South Rd instead, and South Rd residents would be encouraged to use Burnett St or Sidey St to access Riselaw Rd, he said.
The bus route on South Rd is also under consideration. The Otago Regional Council was still considering how it would service the area, he said.
The issue is expected to be raised at a consultation meeting being run by NZTA between 7pm and 8.30pm tomorrow night at Calton Hill School.
Members of the project team, including designers, contract-ors and planners, will be available to explain the proposed changes and listen to residents' views.
Consultation on stage two will finish at the end of next month.
Caversham Valley Safety Improvement: stage two
Proposed changes to improve safety
• Bridge across SH1 linking Mornington Rd with Riselaw Rd.
• Highway widened to include a kerbed central median.
• Highway shoulders widened to 1.5m-1.8m (without parking) and 2.1m or more (with parking).
• A shared pathway for pedestrians and cyclists on the highway.
• Speed limit raised from 50kmh to 60kmh.
What now
• Consultation on stage two of the Caversham Valley Safety Improvements finishes at the end of April 2011.
• NZTA will lodge a notice of requirement (NOR) for designation in May 2011.
• If NOR is granted, it will seek approval for its outline plan in September 2011.
• Construction of stage two (Barnes Dr to Lookout Point) may begin in June 2012 to overlap in part with construction of stage one (Andersons Bay Rd to Barnes Dr).
