Roundabout to improve safety at major Invercargill state highway intersection

Work will start next week on a new roundabout to increase safety at the Tay Street intersection with Racecourse and Rockdale Roads, on the eastern entrance into Invercargill.

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has let a contract to SouthRoads Ltd (award value $850,000) to build the roundabout. A new stormwater pipeline funded by the Invercargill City Council will be installed at the same time.

Acting NZ Transport Agency State Highway Manager for Otago/Southland Simon Underwood says during the last decade there have been over 40 crashes at the intersection - almost half of them resulting in injury.

“Both Racecourse and Rockdale Roads are widely used by heavy vehicles, such as trucks and school buses, and more than 60 per cent of these are turning into, from or across Tay Street (State Highway 1) at this intersection.

“The new roundabout will increase safety and ease traffic congestion at this busy intersection especially during peak travel times.”

The project represents a significant road safety investment in the region and supports the NZTA’s Safe System Approach to road safety, as it will reduce speeds through the intersection and make it easier for road users to cross, or turn to or from the highway Mr Underwood said.

Installation of the stormwater pipeline involving a 5m excavation within the intersection area, as well as the roundabout itself, will involve temporary changes in traffic layout and controls. Road users may experience some delays, but every effort will be made by the contactor to keep these to a minimum he said.

The new roundabout is expected to be operational by the end of April 2013.