The New Zealand Transport Agency is installing nearly 500 new roadside arrow signs along the West Coast's state highway, in preparation of a busy summer season and increased tourist traffic.
A camper van travels along a stretch of road on the West Coast (file). Photo: 123RF
NZTA regional director Jim Harland said the signs were designed to increase drivers' awareness of bends and curves in the road, and the need to lower speeds when approaching
curved sections of highway.
The signs, which will cover about 50km, will cost about $147,000 and form part of the agency's annual safety work programme.
Five areas of the highway will be getting the new gold-on-black signs in time for this summer:
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- Fox River to Punakaiki on the Great Coast Road - more than 200 signs, 16.5km in total
- Fox Glacier to Haast, South Westland, in two stages. Fox Glacier to Ohinetamatea Bridge - 39 signs installed in August covering nearly 1km
- Fox Glacier to Haast from Whakapohai River Bridge to Cole Creek Bridge - Manakaiaua Hills (Knights Point area) - 117 signs covering 8km, to be completed by the end of September
- Franz Josef to Fox Glacier - 38 signs covering 8.5km are being installed to the end of September between Kiwi Jack's Bridge to Waikukupa River Bridge (first half of the Fox Hills)
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- Stillwater - Dobson, 75 signs covering 5km of this key route east out of Greymouth will be installed by the end of September