Kelly Hodel/Stuff
The Telephone Road level crossing was one of the most dangerous in the country.
A major highway that used to bypass Hamilton but is cursed with a dangerous level crossing will be closed for the foreseeable future due to lack of funding for a safe solution.
But Waka Kotahi will try again and make the stretch of road available for funding in the 2024 to 2027 cycle.
State Highway 1B, also known as Telephone Rdis the main travel route for people wanting to bypass Hamilton and head further south.
But the part of the road that crosses a level crossing has been closed since April last year after a low vehicle drove off train tracks for the third time.
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Kelly Hodel/Stuff
State Highway 1B or Telephone Rd is the main travel route for people who want to get around Hamilton and go further south.
“Unfortunately, no funding is available for a secure solution during the current funding cycle,” said Waka Kotahi Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations Rob Campbell.
An investigation found that the low-cost solutions failed to meet safety requirements, with the safe solutions estimated to cost between $8 and $11 million.
The report reviewed all available solutions, including the low-cost solutions put forward by the community.
It also took into account the opening of the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway and the resulting reduction in traffic.
“However, we will put the railway crossing over the telephone route up for consideration in the 2024-27 funding cycle,” Campbell said.
“This does not guarantee that the project will receive funding, as all projects across the country are weighted and examined to determine priorities.”
A small group of community representatives will now meet with Waka Kotahi, KiwiRail and Waikato District Council to discuss the best option for funding.
Campbell said the level crossing was one of the most dangerous in the country and damaged tracks could cause a derailment on the increasingly busy line between Hamilton and Tauranga.
“Until we can go through the funding application process, the only safe option that meets Waka Kotahi and KiwiRail safety requirements is for the crossing to remain closed.
“We realize this decision will be disappointing to the local community and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Waka Kotahi planned to build a pedestrian and cyclist crossing over the railway line, with a school bus stop on the side of Holland Road, subject to final approval by KiwiRail.
The agency had entrenched the barriers blocking the road and installed CCTV cameras after people repeatedly moved the guardrails and still continued to use the road.