Puketitiri Road Realignment

Scheme stage RSA of a new road alignment including two new roundabouts

ViaStrada were commissioned by the Napier City Council to undertake a concept design stage road safety audit (CDSRSA) for the proposed realignment of 3.3 km of the rural road section of Puketitiri Road. The project extent runs from approximately 300 m south of Fryer Road to the Hastings District boundary and includes two new roundabouts.

The realignment was developed in response to a history of loss-of-control crashes associated with a series of “out of context” curves along this route. Puketitiri Road is classified as a Primary Collector in the One Network Road Classification (ONRC) database and carries approximately 1,850 vehicles per day, including 6% heavy commercial vehicles. The extent of the proposed realignment is illustrated by the red ellipse in the adjacent image.

Safety audit scope
The ViaStrada road safety audit team reviewed the concept design with a focus on identifying potential safety risks for all road users. Key elements assessed included:

• Existing road alignment and geometric consistency
• Roadside hazards and clear zones
• The layout and operation of the proposed roundabouts
• Truck tracking and heavy vehicle movements
• Slip risk and geotechnical considerations
• School bus routes using the corridor
• Provision for pedestrians and cyclists along and across the route

The audit findings and recommendations were documented to support design development and help ensure the proposed alignment delivers improved safety performance for all users.