A multi-million dollar redevelopment of a Hawke's Bay intersection rated as one of the highest risk rural intersections in New Zealand is expected to start later this year.
But a New Zealand Transport Agency spokesman says there is still "a lot of work" to be done before work starts on the Hawke's Bay Expressway-Meeanee Quay intersection, known as SH2-Watchman Rd.
The "preferred option" includes a roundabout at the intersection, and creating a new airport entrance off Watchman Rd, west of the intersection.
The agency has been consulting with a wide range of "stakeholders", including road user groups, residents, the Department of Conservation, local environmental interests, Napier City Council, and iwi. With the mix of airport traffic, through-traffic and a high volume to and from Napier Port the current layout puts the intersection among the top 10 high-risk rural intersections in New Zealand.
The agency says the intersection "has a poor crash record, and can be generally confusing for road users".