An electronic barrier arm controlling vehicle access to John Wilson Ocean Dr in Dunedin - at a cost of $100,000 - is among many new features proposed for the scenic coastal road.
Councillors voted on Monday to proceed with the most expensive of three possible options for upgrading the road, before it is reopened as a shared space for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and others.
The decision - subject to public consultation as part of the council's annual plan process - will see cost of developing the road using "Option 3" more than double to $487,519.
The extra spending will pay for improvements not included in the recommended "Option 2", which would have cost $220,519.
Option 2 would have seen precast concrete kerbing installed along the length of the drive, to separate motorists from the shared pathway, and pathway improvements, new plantings, traffic calming measures and a crossing point at Kettle Park Rd.
Option 3 would include all those features and others, a report by council community and recreation policy team leader Lisa Wheeler said.
The drive would be widened at the eastern end, where the road narrowed and climbed to Lawyers Head, to allow the shared pathway to continue with a minimum 2.5m width to the end, the report said.
Concrete kerbing would be added along the northern (inland) side of John Wilson Ocean Dr to prevent motorists parking on grass verges and kerb protrusions would be removed near the St Kilda Surf Life Saving Club, to provide more space for angled parks.
Flat-top speed bumps would be installed along the length of the drive and a new crushed limestone path planned from near the surf club to the existing vehicle bollards would be sealed with asphalt under Option 3, the report said.
The bollards would be replaced with an electronic barrier arm, costing about $100,000.
Other improvements to be added included a safe vehicle turning space by the bollards, interpretive signs and seating, barriers restricting access to cliffs at Lawyers Head and an emergency communication device.
The upgraded plans were approved by councillors on Monday, and would be included in the 2011-12 draft annual plan for public consultation.
