Proposed plans for stage two of the Caversham Valley Safety Improvement Project appear to have polarised Dunedin residents, if an informal public meeting at Calton Hill School last night is anything to go by.
More than 60 residents attended the New Zealand Transport Agency meeting where copies of the Caversham Highway Improvements Project plans were displayed on the walls so residents could familiarise themselves with the proposal.
NZTA staff were on hand to answer any questions.
The $25 million project proposes widening the highway through Caversham, and constructing a large bridge across the highway linking Mornington Rd with Riselaw Rd at Lookout Point.
While some residents were excited by the proposal, others were concerned about the impact the development would have on the value of their property.
Riselaw Rd resident Wayne Whitson said if the road was raised 3.5m to meet the bridge as proposed, it would ruin his view.
"I reckon it will make my property worthless. Who wants to buy a house with a concrete monstrosity beside it?"
He was also worried about increased noise, and the potential increase in boy racers on the street.
"It's just going to be an absolute nightmare with speeding cars - diabolical.
"I really don't think any of this is necessary.
"It would be safest if they just closed Riselaw Rd and Mornington Rd off to the highway."
South Rd resident Josh Bruce said the proposal to close the top end of his street would cause major inconvenience.
"To go south, we have to go right back down the hill to Burnett St. I also work in Corstorphine occasionally, and to get there from my house wouldn't be a quick trip around the corner.
"I'd have to go all the way back down to Sidey St or Barnes Dr."
Other residents, particularly those in Riselaw Rd, were concerned about where they would park their cars and how they would gain access to their properties once the construction was complete.
However, many residents like Concord resident Jim More said they had witnessed several accidents and many "close calls" at the Lookout Point intersection and believed the proposal would make the area much safer.
New Zealand Transport Agency Caversham Highway Improvements Project manager Simon Underwood said the overall response at the meeting had been positive.
"But some people here tonight have brought up some things for us to think about."
Consultation on stage two will finish at the end of next month.
