Safer railway level crossings for Bay of Plenty

Planned improvements at the Benner Rd railway level crossing include new flashing lights, bells, half-arm barriers, road widening, vegetation clearing, and new lighting. Photo / Supplied

A fourth Eastern Bay of Plenty railway level crossing is set to receive safety upgrades aimed at saving lives, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has announced.

The announcement was made as part of an event held at Pukehina Marae on Monday to celebrate upgrades at another three railway level crossings in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, and to thank local iwi, the community and other stakeholders for their support.

Waka Kotahi programme director Dave Van Staden said these railway level crossing upgrades would improve safety for everyone who used them.

"On average five people die, five people are seriously injured, and there are 238 reported near-miss incidents at railway level crossings across New Zealand each year.

By delivering a range of improvements to railway level crossing sites, we can improve the safety for road users and pedestrians using these crossings," he said.

The fourth site, announced at yesterday's event, is alongside State Highway 2 at Benner Rd, Pukehina.

The planned improvements at this crossing include new flashing lights, bells, half-arm barriers, road widening and line marking, vegetation clearing, and new lighting. Work is expected to get under way later this year.

Representatives from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, KiwiRail, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Ngāti Whakahemo, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Makino and Ngāti Whakaue at Pukehina Marae. Photo /Supplied

The other three level crossing upgrades are alongside SH2 at Paengaroa, Pongakawa School Rd and Ohinepanea Rd in Pukehina. Each site received a range of different improvements, such as new signs, barriers, lights and bells to warn drivers a train is approaching.

These improvements are part of the Safe Network Programme, delivering safety improvements on high-risk routes across New Zealand to make roads more forgiving of people's mistakes.

The programme focuses on safe roads and roadsides, safe and appropriate speeds, and safe level crossings.

As part of the programme, Waka Kotahi and KiwiRail are working together to make railway level crossings on or near state highways around New Zealand safer.

The railway level crossing at Benner Road, Pukehina. Photo / Supplied

A total of $26 million is being spent throughout New Zealand to make railway level crossings safer, using lower-cost safety improvements to prevent deaths and serious injuries, and targeting crossings on or near state highways.

For more information, go to nzta.govt.nz/safety/our-vision-of-a-safe-road-system/safe-network-programme/level-crossing-safety-upgrades/