NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail are conducting safety upgrades to railway level crossings in the north of New Zealand’s North Island.
A total of $26 million is being spent to make New Zealand’s crossings safer, using lower cost improvements.
Upgrades include the installation of half-arm barriers, flashing lights and bells to road signs and markings, road shoulder widening and improvements to crossing surfaces.
Twelve sites are up for upgrades across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty are currently undergoing improvements.
“Work has already been completed at four sites. Safety improvements at another four locations are underway in the coming months, with upgrades to all twelve locations expected to be completed by mid-2020,” said the Transport Agency’s Acting Director of Regional Relationships Ross I’Anson.
“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,” said l’Anson.
The upgrades target crossings on or near state highways where there is a higher risk of death or serious injury occurring, according to a NZ Transport Agency statement.
The works are not expected to result in delays to traffic, but motorists are encouraged to allow more time for their journeys.