Plan ahead to avoid delays

The New Zealand Transport Agency is advising motorists to plan ahead to stay safe this Labour Weekend. File Photo.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is reminding drivers to plan ahead to avoid delays and stay safe this Labour Weekend.

A combination of more cars on the road, tiredness and driving on unfamiliar roads can create stressful situations which can lead to mistakes,” says NZTA Waikato and Bay of Plenty State Highways Manager Niclas Johansson.

'Reducing your speed and increasing your following distances play a major role in minimising the potentially serious consequences of those mistakes.”

Niclas is warning motorists that there'll be a lot of construction and maintenance works happening on state highways across the Bay and the Waikato this weekend.

'Even when there's not obvious work taking place there are hazards that mean you should keep within the reduced speed limit to keep yourselves, your families and other road users safe,” he says.

'It also reduces damage to what can be newly surfaced or repaired roads.”

The NZTA also recommends planning ahead to avoid congestion. They have again published data based on previous Labour Weekends which shows the areas and times that are mostly likely to be congested. They can be found at www.nzta.govt.nz/hotspots.

'We know that a couple of the biggest pinch points are on State Highway 29 at the Kaimais and State Highway 2 between Paeroa and Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty,” says Niclas.

'The busiest times start early Friday afternoon to early evening and then again on Saturday morning. Things pick up again for the journey home on Monday where on State Highway 1 at Karapiro for example traffic is at its heaviest from 11.30am until 6.30pm.”

BAY OF PLENTY ROADWORKS

Te Puke Highway rehabilitation work:

Rehabilitation work is being carried out between Poplar Lane and Kopuroa Canal Bridge (Longswamp). There is a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place with lane shifts and metal surface. Extra care is required when traveling through this site.

SH2 Wainui road to Sergeants Drive seal repairs:

Seal repairs are expected to place on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 25-26, on State Highway 2 at Wainui Road. A 50km/j temporary speed limit will be in place with lane shifts. Extra care will be required throughout the site.

Ongoing works:

Work is also on-going on SH2/TePuna Rd intersection, the Hairini underpass, SH29A/ Poike Road and the SH29/29A/36 intersection. The NZTA is advising motorists to stick to the speed limits in place and drive safely.

WAIKATO ROADWORKS

Tongariro River Bridge:

The NZTA is urging drivers to comply with a 50km/h speed restriction in place over the Tongariro River Bridge on SH1 just north of Turangi.

The temporary speed restrictions were introduced after routine inspections identified the need to carry out repairs to the underside of the bridge. Limiting speeds to 50km/h will significantly reduce the stress vehicles put on the bridge structure and prolong its life.

Repairs are programmed to start the week after Labour Weekend, and due to be complete in early December. During the construction period 30km/h speed restrictions and/or stop/go operations will be required.

The NZTA urges all drivers to respect the speed restrictions and thanks them for their patience. Much of the work will be below the road and not visible to the public, however speed restrictions will ensure the safety of workers and drivers.

Cambridge pedestrian crossing

Pedestrian traffic lights are expected to be operating on SH1B-Victoria Road in Cambridge next week.

A signalised crossing has been built near Williams Street, while further north an informal crossing with a central refuge island is being built near Taylor Street.

The lights are expected to be operating next week.

Victoria Road/SH1B has got busier since the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway opened in December 2015 and these crossings, installed by the NZ Transport Agency, will improve safety for all pedestrians, particularly school children going to and from schools in the area.

With changes to the road layout the Transport Agency asks drivers to take care in the area. And pedestrians using the new signalised crossing are urged to check vehicles have stopped before stepping out – even when pedestrians have the green light.

State Highway slips

Work continues on a long-term solution to the slip on SH3 south of Mokau, and the road remains single lane with stop/go in place. The road was closed for four days following the slip on September 18 and remains single lane while monitoring, inspections and testing continue for a long-term solution.

Meanwhile work is wrapping up on a similar situation on SH25, 9km south of Coromandel town. A slip there resulted in a full closure, then single lane. On Friday (21 Oct) it was expected to return to two-way following pavement sealing, weather permitting. A 40-metre retainer wall has been built as a lasting solution.

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.