Motorists can expect delays later this week as work starts on improving a short but bumpy section of State Highway 1 at the Carmen Road rail crossing in the Christchurch suburb of Hornby.
Carmen Road (SH1) will be closed between Main South Road (SH73A) and Buchanans Road from midnight Friday 10 June and reopen by 7pm on Monday 13 June. Traffic will be diverted around the worksite via Parker St, Gilberthorpes Rd and Buchanans Rd. Detours will be well marked and sign posted. Access to Hornby Hub will still be available via Main South Road. However, drivers not wishing to access the Hornby area should consider taking alterative routes. A short pedestrian and cycle detour will be available near the road closure at Carmen Road.
NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Regional State Highways Manager Colin Knaggs says the road surface at the Carmen Road rail crossing has been less that ideal for some time and has generated numerous complaints from motorists. When it is completed this work will offer a much smoother road surface to drive on.
“As much of this three day job as possible is being carried out over a weekend to minimise disruptions for road users. Delays are likely, so motorists travelling to and from Hornby or the Christchurch International Airport need to allow extra time for their journey.”
Mr Knaggs says the NZTA is well aware that this work is another hassle for road users at a time when the Christchurch roads are under pressure as a result of the earthquake and resulting changes in travel patterns. Every effort will be made to carry out the work quickly to keep delays to a minimum. The NZTA and Kiwi Rail regret the inconvenience caused by this work and thank road users for their patience.
Kiwirail spokesperson Cathie Bell says the works involves replacing both main railway tracks, upgrading of the rail level crossing surface and full re-paving of the level crossing road surface. While the road closure is from Midnight Friday the 10th June until 7pm on Monday the 13th of June, KiwiRail hopes to have the work completed and road open to all traffic by Midnight on Sunday the 12th of June.
