Pedestrian works in Ōhaupō village enter design stage

Ōhaupō’s main street will receive a pedestrian crossing across the main street and improvements to its footpaths by Waipā District Council.

The planned crossing, located in the centre of the main business district of Ōhaupō will include pedestrian traffic signals, significant footpath improvements on either side of the road and kerb buildouts on neighbouring Great Bourke St.

Service Delivery group manager for Waipā District Council Dawn Inglis said the Ōhaupō community had asked for a pedestrian crossing to provide a safe way of crossing State Highway 3, and Waipā District Council had listened.

“Creating safe, accessible and attractive places for Waipā residents is one of our key priorities, and giving pedestrians a safer way to cross the state highway is what the Ōhaupō community has asked us for.”

Footpaths around Ōhaupō School and a general refresh of the pedestrian underpass north of the village have had their designs completed and their contracts awarded, with work beginning shortly.

Once designs for the pedestrian crossing are finished, work will begin in the township, and will take around three months to complete.

State Highway 3 will remain open for traffic during construction.

Inglis said while the project was primarily about improving pedestrian safety in Ōhaupō village, businesses may see an improvement in foot traffic.

The crossing may also encourage passing vehicles to stop and visitors to stroll Ōhaupō’s main street.

“This pedestrian crossing is about giving people a safe place to cross the main road, but it will also improve connectivity between businesses on either side of the main road.

“We see that as a win for Ōhaupō’s business community.”

Also benefiting from the works will be users of Waipā’s buses, as shelters and bus stops will also be revamped and potentially relocated to more accessible locations.

Inglis said the district’s bus system was growing in popularity, and as a middle ground between Hamilton and Te Awamutu, Ōhaupō was perfectly placed to benefit.

“Council has seen positive growth in our public transport network in the district in recent times; more and more, residents are using our buses to travel between hubs like Hamilton and Te Awamutu.

“We’re factoring the bus network into our designs, and with the buses moving to hourly services, it’s important to make sure they can safely enter and exit bus stops in the village.”