As if there weren’t enough already along Kapiti Road, you say. But this is a good move as the amount of traffic on Rimu Road is often heavy; however, the ‘Barnes Dance’ pedestrian crossing will mean longer waits for motorists, which they are sure to appreciate — not.
In regard to the intended “silhouettes in consultation with iwi” on these traffic lights, a little group of us think silhouettes of Te Rauparaha wielding a Taiaha or Mere would be ideal (see this webpage).
They would appropriately reflect the mantra of “Kindness and Wellbeing” as it applies under KCDC boss Mr Maxwell and the present Mayor. The lights should be double size so that the public can appreciate the design.
“[During November] contractors will drill core samples from the road in preparation for safety improvement works at the intersection in January.
“We need to investigate the condition of the road pavement to inform the detailed design for upcoming safety and traffic flow improvements at the Rimu Road / Iver Trask Place intersection.
“If the investigations show the road is in worse than expected condition, the project will need to be reviewed.
“The works in January aim to improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow in the area.
“The intersection will be closed for up to four weeks in January while we install traffic lights and a Barnes Dance pedestrian crossing on a raised table.
“A Barnes Dance (also known as a ‘scramble crossing’) stops all traffic and allows pedestrians to cross in any direction — including diagonally — at the same time.
“The new Barnes Dance will be safer and better match pedestrian flow in the area. It will enhance the view shaft from Coastlands to Kapiti Island.
“NZTA has confirmed that we may use unique silhouettes on the pedestrian crossing lights (similar to the Kate Sheppard lights in Wellington). We are working with our iwi partners to identify suitable images for this.
“The existing pedestrian crossing on Rimu Road will be removed at the completion of these works.
“Council will also install new storm water pipes along this section of Rimu Road.
“January is the best time to carry out the work because it’s the quietest time of year in the area so disruption to road users and businesses will be minimised.”
We were in Iver Trask Way on Monday and there was a traffic jam! We were going to the Foodbank and every car park in the area was taken with vehicles lining up to replace cars coming out! I had to wait 5 minutes. One advantage of the traffic lights will be that they will remove the exiting pedestrian crossing which currently holds up a lot of traffic. During the day there is a lot of movement between Iver Trask and Coastlands, and Kapiti School also generates additional traffic at certain times of the day.
Would be interesting to see the modelling of this and the Kapiti road lights together, not individually.