Greater Safety Coming for Bell Block Crash Black Spot

The Bell Block bypass will bring with it a new layout for a dangerous intersection with the state highway.

When alterations to the Henwood/Nugent intersection are completed in May, right turns in and out of the Mangati Road/State Highway 3 black spot will be prohibited.

“This intersection is one of New Plymouth’s worst black spots,” says New Zealand Transport Agency State Highways Manager Errol Christiansen.

“The bypass is about public safety as much as anything else, and modifying the Mangati Road intersection will minimise traffic conflicts and cut the high crash rate in this area.”

The bypass will be open to all traffic on 12 March with a temporary speed limit. However the placement of new traffic islands to stop right-turn manoeuvres at the Mangati/SH3 intersection will not be implemented until NZTA finishes constructing the new Henwood/Nugent roundabout in May. This timing will allow traffic patterns to be established following the closure of the existing Devon Road.

New road signs will be erected to help motorists access Bell Block. Traffic will be encouraged to use the new Henwood Road on and off ramps to get to and from SH3 in Bell Block.

Alternatively, traffic coming from New Plymouth Airport could turn off sooner onto Wills Road and get to Mangati Road via Penrod Drive.

An NZTA information flyer about the Mangati/SH3 intersection alterations is being sent to all residents in Bell Block later this week.