Media statement | 24 November 2005

Funding approved for Centennial Highway median barrier

The Land Transport New Zealand Board has approved $15.2 million in funding for the design and construction of a median barrier along the full length of the coastal section of Centennial Highway between Pukerua Bay Hill and Paekakariki.

A trial of a 700m section of wire rope median barrier on the highway has been underway since December last year. Video monitoring equipment installed as part of the trial has recorded incidents of vehicles striking the barrier which would likely have resulted in severe crashes had the highway not been divided.

Transit New Zealand is now proposing to extend the wire rope median barrier to 3.8km in length (including the existing 700m barrier), from the bottom of the Pukerua Bay Hill to the Paekakariki threshold, south of the Fisherman’s Table restaurant. Transit is currently carrying out the second stage of public consultation on the proposal.

Land Transport NZ Chair Dr Jan Wright said extending the median barrier would improve the safety of the route.

"This is a very busy section of State Highway 1. The trial barrier has proven to be effective in preventing the type of severe head-on crashes in which innocent road users are killed or seriously injured."

For more information

Andy Knackstedt
Media Manager
Land Transport New Zealand
Ph: 04 931 8829 or 0212 763