44 Bowen Street
Private Bag 6995
Wellington 6141
New Zealand
T 64 4 894 5400
F 64 4 894 6100
www.nzta.govt.nz
24 June 2024
Tim Prebble
[FYI request #27004 email]
REF: OIA-15482
Dear Tim
Request made under the Official Information Act 1982
Thank you for your email
of 26 May 2024 requesting the fol owing information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
…the cost of the new traffic lights that have been added 2m in front of the railway traffic lights
in Steyne Ave, and 10m from the existing set of traffic lights where Steyne Ave meets St
Andrews Road.
Not interested in what the new roading cost. I just want a break down of the cost of the
absolutely superfluous new traffic lights. Given the state of our roads nationwide I am
fascinated to know how & why this was a priority. We now have three sets of traffic lights
within 10 metres.
The invoice for the installation of the traffic lights by the railway crossing in Steyne Avenue,
Plimmerton has been released to you in
Attachment 1.
Certain information has been withheld under section 9(2)(a) of the Act to protect the privacy of natural
persons and section 9(2)(b)(i ) of the Act, to protect information where the making available of the
information would be likely to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is
the subject of the information.
With respect to the information that has been withheld, I do not consider there are any other factors
which would render it desirable, in the public interest, to make the information available.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) instal ed new traffic signals on Steyne Avenue, west of the
railway tracks, in conjunction with KiwiRail. With the number of trains running through this level
crossing expected to increase, KiwiRail completed upgrades to the Steyne Avenue level-crossing to
help it comply with international safety standards. The design of the traffic light instalments, rail signals
and traffic signals were reviewed and approved by KiwiRail, NZTA, and Porirua City Council.
Since 2011, there have been 14 reported near misses at this level crossing. With an expected
increased frequency of trains running through this level crossing, the traffic signals help us ensure the
intersection continues to be safe for everyone.
To further improve safety and to meet best practice standards (as outlined in section 6.4 of the Traffic
Control Devices Manual), we’ve instal ed the new traffic signals. Those safety standards recommend
that, when there’s limited space between a level crossing and an intersection controlled by traffic
signals, it’s appropriate for railway and traffic signals to work in conjunction with each other. This
coordination of signals reduces the likelihood of vehicles getting stranded on the railway tracks as
outlined in Part 9 of the Traffic Control Devices Manual.
For more information on the best practice standards and the coordination of signals mentioned, please
see Part 9 of the Traffic Control Device Manual at the link below:
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/traffic-control-devices-manual/part-09-level-
crossings/docs/09-level-crossings.pdf The change in traffic volumes due to the opening of Transmission Gul y were also considered as part
of the Level Crossing Safety Impact Assessment recognising that phasing improvements could be
made to address traffic flows exiting Steyne Ave.
We do understand there were delays to road users at this intersection when the traffic signals were
first instal ed. We’ve adjusted the phasing of the traffic signals which has helped reduce these delays.
These traffic signals are linked to the existing traffic signals at State Highway 59. The light phasing is
setup to make sure road users get through both sets of signals in one movement.
We’re also continuing to monitor the intersection (in real time via CCTV) and wil make further changes
when needed.
Under section 28 of the Act, you have the right to ask the Ombudsman to review my decision to
withhold some information within this request. The contact details for the Ombudsman can be located
at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz.
If you would like to discuss this reply with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), please contact
Ministerial Services, by email to [email address].
Yours sincerely
Andrew Clark
National Manager Maintenance & Operations
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