The Roads and Traffic Authority is proposing safety improvements to the New England Highway at Harpers Hill in response to the crash history at this location.
The RTA is proposing to install a central median barrier on the approach to and around the curve at Walkers Hill Lane. These works are intended to address a history of head on crashes on this one kilometre road length.
This project is funded by the Federal Government under the Federal Nation Building Program as a National Blackspot Project.
Background
In the five year period between 2003 and 2007 there were seven crashes including one fatal crash in which two people were killed and three injury crashes along the one kilometre length of the New England Highway, between two to three kilometres west of Allandale Road, Harpers Hill.
Of the seven crashes, there were three head-on crashes, an off carriageway to the right crash, and two rear end crashes.
A further fatal crash occurred on the road length in 1996, in which two people were killed.
Features
The features of the proposed safety improvements include:
- Relocation of the linemarking to provide a central painted median to accommodate a central median barrier (either concrete or wire rope).
- Installation of a 700 metre to one kilometre length of median safety barrier to better separate traffic.
- Provision of U-turn facilities at either end of the barrier.
- Walkers Hill Lane will be made left in, left out only.
Motorists wishing to turn right into or out of Walkers Hill Lane will need to use the U-turn facility that will be provided to the east and the west of the new median barrier.
The U-turn bay will be located where drivers will have optional sight distance and can cross traffic most safely. The location of the U-turn bays will also be determined to minimise the additional distance that local residents have to travel.
The funding available for this project is specifically for the treatment of crashes in the vicinity of the bend at Walker Hill Lane given the crash history and patterns at this location.
The proposal is in addition to recent minor works between Lochinvar and Greta, which have involved reducing the speed limit from 100km/h to 90km/h, marking of a right turn bay at Orient Street, Greta, and relocation of the end of an overtaking lane to improve sight lines.
Comments on this proposal were invited until 21 October and will be considered in developing the project.
For more information write to Adam Thomas, Roads and Traffic Authority, Locked Bag 30, Newcastle 2300 or email Adam_Thomas@rta.nsw.gov.au.
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