Hemo Rd roundabout wins walking organisation award

The Hemo Rd roundabout has been recognised at the Golden Foot Walking Awards. Photo/Brian Holden

Rotorua's Hemo Rd roundabout has received an award but not for the increased safety it gives to motorists.

The roundabout has won the Connecting Communities Award at the Golden Foot Walking Awards held in Wellington this week.

The Golden Foot Walking Awards are run by Living Street Aotearoa, a New Zealand organisation for people on foot that promotes walking-friendly communities.

Roundabout project manager Fred Shilton from Opus International, was in Wellington to collect the award.

He said it was great to be recognised for something that was "to the side" of a transport project.

(From left) Andy Smith, Living Streets Aotearoa president, Fred Shilton, and Peter Koortegast. Photo/Supplied

"The State Highway 5/State Highway 30 Hemo Rd intersection had been ranked as the fourth-riskiest intersection in the country by NZTA," Shilton said.

"While our design focus was directed at ensuring improved safety to road users, the safety of cyclists and pedestrians was also one of the objectives.

"I always knew it was an award-winning roundabout, it's nice to be able to say it is," he said.

The $7.3 million contract to build the roundabout was awarded to Fulton Hogan and construction began in April 2016.

Project objectives
- Increase safety at the high-risk intersection
- Enhance connectivity and integrate with the surrounding area and local roads
- Provide cycle and pedestrian access across the state highway and integrate it with the national cycleway
- Create a gateway to Rotorua in partnership with the council and local tourism businesses
- Provide enhanced stormwater treatment