Signalised Pedestrian Crossing Construction Begins

Work begins this week on the first of two new signalised pedestrian crossings in New Plymouth.

In both cases, these signals will replace the existing marked pedestrian crossings.

The signals on Devon Street West outside Devon Intermediate School, as well as associated changes to the road layout, will improve the safety of pedestrians and drivers.

Let’s Go Project Manager Carl Whittleston says the changes will give clear guidance to drivers about when they are required to stop, which will decrease the likelihood of nose to tail collisions, and also give pedestrians greater safety.

“The pedestrian signals will be programmed to balance the flow of vehicles and people crossing the road so that even during busy times, the disruption to traffic will be similar to when it was a marked pedestrian crossing,” he says.

The project will take about eight weeks to complete, weather permitting.

NZTA also plans to install a signalised pedestrian crossing on Powderham Street between the New Plymouth Court House and the police station as a part of this project.

As both sites are on state highways, the project is fully funded by the NZ Transport Agency as part of NPDC’s Let’s Go programme.