Safety concerns at two city intersections in northern area of Hamilton – Gordonton Road/Puketaha Road and Borman Road/Horsham Downs Road, have prompted Hamilton City Council to ring-fence $14 million for major upgrades.
Growth in Rototuna has also driven safety concerns with cars now using other roads in the area not designed for heavier traffic.
In spite of not all Councillors supporting these intersection upgrades in the Council’s December meeting, the majority had agreed to put them in the draft budget and seek public feedback.
Accordingly, In its 2021-31 draft Long-Term Plan, Council has confirmed it wants to upgrade the Gordonton Road/Puketaha Road intersection by building a $3 million roundabout. If it goes ahead, work will start later this year.
An $11 million upgrade of the Borman Road/Horsham Downs Road intersection is also on the table, with work proposed to start in 2024/25.
As government subsidy is not likely to be available in the time frames proposed, Hamilton ratepayers would carry the full cost, $4 per year for each ratepayer for the Gordonton Road project and $9 per year for the larger Borman Road project.
Infrastructure Operations Committee Chair, Angela O’Leary said some Councillors were concerned about safety issues at both intersections and proposed bringing the work forward.
“Gordonton Road between Wairere Drive and Thomas Road has become increasingly busy over the past three years and we’ve already done quite a bit of work to improve safety,” she said.
“I know some people will want the work to begin sooner and others will prefer that Council wait in order to get the government subsidy,” O’Leary said.
“Whatever their preference, we need to hear it before final decisions are made.”
Final decisions will be made once the total Long-Term Plan budget is locked down in June this year. Before then, Council is undertaking a comprehensive public engagement programme on what it is proposing to spend – and when – over the next decade.
Public engagement on the Long-Term Plan runs until 7 April.
– from NewsViews
