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By the end of this month, Ōrewa should have a new pedestrian crossing over Hibiscus Coast Highway. The project is costing almost $250,000.
The crossing is being put in near Estuary Arts Centre and the south Ōrewa bridge. It’s a busy place to cross the highway, and large numbers attempt to do so, running across the road, particularly in summer.
Auckland Transport’s (AT) figures show there have been three accidents causing injury at the site in the past five years, one of which was serious. A count done in 2019 revealed that around 11,120 vehicles go through this location each day, each way. The new crossing will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, replacing a traffic island with a signalised pedestrian-activated crossing, with lights that stop traffic on demand.
The project, which has been sought by the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board for several years, was nearly shelved due to Covid-19-related budget cuts.
It was made possible by the local board devoting $246,000 – a large chunk of its transport capital fund – to the project.
Construction started a week ago and is causing traffic delays. AT advises that work should be completed by the end of the month.
Backstories: July 3, 2019; November 18 and December 2, 2020
