The NZ Transport Agency says a new, safer highway to replace the Normanby Overbridge and its approaches is just two years away.
The Transport Agency's Central Regional Director Raewyn Bleakley joined Transport Minister Simon Bridges, South Taranaki Mayor Ross Dunlop and other dignitaries and community representatives this morning to celebrate the official start of construction on the $11m realignment of State Highway 3, around 4km north of Hawera.
The project was brought forward by the Government as part of the Crown-funded Accelerated Regional Roading package.
The project will see the removal of the existing overbridge, with the existing rail line turned into a bridge that will pass over the road. The project also sees the realignment of 4km of highway, providing a completely new route that does away with the existing road's difficult, sweeping curves, particularly north of the bridge. The new road will provide wider shoulders, making it more forgiving for drivers who lose control. The shoulders will also give space for cyclists to ride safely.
“We appreciate that this project is a long time coming, and we would like to recognise the efforts of the local community who have campaigned passionately for this highway to be made safer,“ Ms Bleakley says.
“State Highway 3 is a busy freight route, and by making journeys shorter, while also reducing the risk of crashes or disruption, the project will help to reduce the cost of doing business, and in doing so, grow Taranaki’s economy.”
The project will be completed in around two years.
For more information please contact:
Anthony Frith
Media Manager - Central
T: 04 894 5251
M: 027 213 7617
E: anthony.frith@nzta.govt.nz
