Pedestrian safety to be improved

The Mangamutu Bridge in Waitahanui will soon be safer for pedestrians with the construction of a new footpath to be completed within two months.

Taupo District Council and Transit New Zealand are working together to improve safety in the area. Transit New Zealand will move and extend the current guardrail on the northern approach to the bridge to allow for a new 100-metre footpath to be built by the Council.

The new footpath will enable pedestrians to navigate along the SH1 bridge without having to step onto the roadway.

At a recent council committee meeting, the bridge was identified as needing immediate action. Councillor Kathryn Uvhagen said she was pleased to see that the problem was going to be rectified quickly.

Another area of concern for pedestrians is on SH5 between Lake Terrace and De Bretts. A variety of feasible solutions for improving safety in this area have been suggested by Council and an investigation into the most appropriate solution is underway.