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Before Ōrewa’s latest pedestrian crossing is even completed, the traffic islands on it were severely damaged. There has also been a delay of several months in getting the traffic lights at the crossing operational.
The crossing goes over Hibiscus Coast Highway (near Estuary Arts Centre), connecting Te Ara Tahuna (the Ōrewa Estuary walk and cycleway) with the beach side.
It will have pedestrian-activated lights and cost the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board close to $250,000.
The work was begun by Auckland Transport (AT) contractors last year and the original completion date was the end of June. Wet weather last winter delayed things – however by the end of last year the crossing was ready to go, apart from the lights. An AT spokesperson says the holdup is about completing work and easement agreements between Auckland Council and power company Vector. A further issue is when Vector may be able to do the work needed to get power from the adjacent reserve to the site.
AT expects it will be a couple of months at least before the power is connected.
Meanwhile, at the end of last month, both traffic islands were damaged to the point that they both had to be replaced. The cause is unclear – AT advises it is unsure how it occurred but an accident, or vandalism are both options. Neither Police nor St John received any calls to an accident at that location.
It turns out that the islands were always temporary – designed to provide a refuge for people crossing until the lights are activated, and then be removed. The cost of installing and removing them is around $9600, AT advises, and the additional replacement due to the damage cost $5000.
Although the islands provide a refuge for pedestrians and cyclists crossing at that point, the AT spokesperson says while the signals are not working and there is no zebra crossing, motorists have right of way.
The crossing is being installed because it is already a popular and convenient place to cross the road to and from the beach, especially in summer. AT’s figures show there have been three accidents causing injury at the site in the past five years, one of which was serious.
Backstories: July 3, 2019; November 18 and December 2, 2020; June 16 and July 14, 2021
