Barkes Corner project cost more than anticipated

The traffic lights on Barkes Corner light up for the second time on December 12 2018. Image: SunLive/Daniel Hines.

It was revealed at a ratepayers meeting that the Barkes Corner traffic light project run by NZTA had gone over budget.

And turns out there is some truth in that statement. The original project cost $778,111 but after changes an additional cost of $356,487 was added on making the project cost a total of $1,134,598.

NZTA Bay of Plenty systems manager Rob Campbell says the project was a New Zealand first and the initial installation was designed in part to understand how drivers would interact with the unusual road layout.

'The original budget was set to construct a more basic layout, however, motorists experienced some confusion with the operation of the three phase lights, and when it became clear that this was not intuitive to many users and safety concerns were raised, therefore a more expensive solution was implemented.”

Rob says the changes implemented was a two-phase light system to remove any confusion, making the operation of the light intuitive for all users.

'We also made improvements to the median and the signals' location and stop lines provided further safety benefits.

'The total cost including the upgrades to improve safety and operation was $778,111. The updated design to improve the user controls of the roundabout saw the additional cost of $356,487. These works included installing a median island, dual lights, as well as additional electronic infrastructure for the lights.

'The initial budget was set by the work we planned, if we had adopted the more complex version initially, the budget would have been set higher to reflect these plans.

'The initial three phase lanterns included in the above costs have been returned to stock and will be utilised in the network,” says Rob.

Since the installation of traffic lights at the Barkes Corner roundabout, the same two-phase lights have been installed at the Elizabeth Street roundabout.

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4 comments

A NZ first? Bollocks, and so what?

Posted on 24-05-2019 20:02 | By Murray.Guy

Ngongotaha has a roundabout with lights (not xmas decorations) operating well before Barkes Corner, frankly better positioned, easier seen. Regardless, The negative outcomes were the result of basis incompetencies, not new technology!


Did I miss something?

Posted on 24-05-2019 20:59 | By The Caveman

How many other TCC projects have been THOUSANDS of $$$$$$ over budget in the last couple of years?? Its about time that some of the upper level of Council employees were held to account. Seems to me that they given the Councillors a lowball figure for almost every "project" over the past 3-5 years and once signed off by the Councillors, the project cost "suddenly" jumps 20 - 40 - 50 %. But of course once the job has stared the Councillors have NO option but to agree to the "sudden" 20 - 40 - 50 % cost increase to finish the job.


Outrageous

Posted on 25-05-2019 13:52 | By Kancho

Well hope the poor people who had accidents got compensation. Going through a green light at a roundabout just like the ones at Maungatapu but with the rules changed and confusing? Green light means go in some parts of town but not another? But worse the lights have made no difference as far as I can see. In fact somee seem to ignore them anyway. Barkes corner certainly is scary and needs a lot more work. A proper light system or better another underpass so traffic going through can do do and local traffic have some chance. Still we seem to have added the Lakes and the junction without much consideration for "Smart growth" infrastructure needs. The roundabouts at the junction and toll roads are a nightmare too and the connection to Barkes corner not great either. Then Cambridge road intersection, Oh dear!


100%

Posted on 25-05-2019 16:25 | By Angels

Council are always guaranteed to be over cost and totally ineffective in traffic planning. The traffic (so called planners) for this city are a disgrace, over budget and every road they touch has not been improved but gone backwards. Time for a new council and new city employees were deemed needed


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