PETITION TO INSTALL PASSING LANES ALONG MATATA STRAIGHT ( SH 2).

 

Yet another (this time young) life lost on this notorious section of road. And sadly it won’t be the last. We seem to be averaging about one per year!

According to the NZTA a road fatality costs over $4m (NZTA 2020).

 

State Highway 2 takes on a new life beyond the end of the Tauranga Eastern Link.

There are no passing bays and few sections of road that are safe to pass.

The general standard of the highway steps down.

 

This is a busy road.

It carries a lot of freight and a lot of cars.

The Matata Straight is the first real opportunity for vehicles to pass heavy vehicles. Unfortunately a combination of impatient drivers, long ( & multiple) trucks & trailers, makes this a dangerous stretch of road. It is seen at the ‘ last chance’ to get past slow traffic. The same applies travelling west.

 

All these vehicles pay towards road costs but there doesn’t to be much spent on it..

A lot of the NZTA funds now go to Ad campaigns, PR (Spin), Consultants and on projects in major cities. Over $300k spent to OPEN  Transmission Gully (Stuff 17th June 2022)

 

 

So how about some PASSING BAYS

 

Travelling west most trucks pull over on the shoulder climbing the hill at Otamarakau Valley road. But this only allows a few vehicles to pass.

This section need upgrading and designating as a proper passing bay.

 

Somewhere along the Matata Straight there needs to be full passing bays in both directions and then maybe no overtaking lines together with improvements ( turning bays) for side roads such as  Pikowai.