A perfect circle - SH51 roundabout and safety project almost complete

State Highway 51’s safety improvement programme is almost complete –incorporating 23,000 tonnes of aggregate, 2,500 tonne of asphalt, 4.8 kilometres of flexible median barrier and 2.4km of road and centreline widening.

The project began in June last year and saw the installation of flexible side barrier, flexible median barrier, road widening, and a new roundabout at the Awatoto Road/SH51 intersection.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi principal project manager Jacob Laird says the changes are designed to make this stretch of the State Highway safer, and make travel more efficient for all road users.

“It’s essential this stretch of road is made as safe as possible.”

“Between 2010 and 2019, five people were killed and 28 people seriously injured on the state highway between Marine Parade and Waipatu. Between 2020 and February 2021 a further two people have been killed. All fatal crashes have occurred on the Marine Parade to Awatoto section of SH51.”

Mr Laird says the project is ahead of schedule and he acknowledges that’s in a large part down to the support from local residents, businesses and road users during times when the road has been closed to speed up the work.

“Our contractors working on the project have also understood the importance of this project for the thousands of people who use the road on a daily basis. Working closely with mana whenua Ngāti Pārau during the project has also been crucial.”

Ngāti Pārau Chairman Chad Tareha says the site is historically and culturally very important to them.

“We’ve worked closely with NZTA Waka Kotahi to make sure the heritage of the site is protected. The project has really taken shape and we’re looking forward to installing the sculpture later this year, as kaitiaki of the area, to uphold its significance.”

Jacob Laird says the whole stretch of state highway between Waitangi Road and north towards the Ellison Street intersection looks very different than it did 12 months ago, and the feedback has been positive.

“A lot of hard work has gone on to create a safer, more reliable connection.”

The work includes:

• A new roundabout to improve safety at the intersection of SH51 and Awatoto Road and reduce delays for people travelling from Awatoto. 
• 4.8km of flexible median and side barrier to help prevent head-on and run-off road crashes by stopping vehicles before they hit something harder, like a tree, power pole or oncoming vehicle. 
• 2.4km of road and centreline widening to give more space between vehicles. It’s a simple and effective way to steer drivers away from each other giving more time to react and helping prevent crashes if someone makes a mistake. 
• Intersection improvements by positioning the SH51/Awatoto roundabout and realigning the road away from the rail level crossing to provide more space for queuing. This helps prevent the risk of vehicles being stopped over the train tracks and improves safety. 
• A new, wide crossing suitable for prams, wheelchair users, cyclists and pedestrians to improve connectivity between Awatoto Road and the beach domain.  

Contractor Fulton Hogan has led the roundabout construction while Tūpore has worked on installing the flexible barrier and road widening.

Regan Mador-Leahy, Civil & Projects Divisional Manager from Fulton Hogan says this project has been a special one to work on.

“Seeing the roundabout, and the whole project come together the way it has, has been really satisfying. Our crews are proud to have contributed to making this busy stretch of state highway safer for all who use it on a daily basis.”

Although the project is largely complete, there are a few activities motorists will see over the next few weeks, including completing the landscaping (around 14,000 plants) – due for completion at the end of this month, and the last section of the shared-user crossing (over the rail tracks).

Crews will also return to site in approximately 12 months to add the second coat to the chip seal.  New chip seals receive a second-coat the year after they are re-built as the initial seal has to settle over time, with traffic going over it. The second coat of chip seal further strengthens the road over the long-term.

A sculpture will also be unveiled  in the coming weeks on the beachside of the roundabout, specially designed by Ngāti Pārau sculptor Tamanuhiri Russell.

 “Now, with these safety improvements in place, the iconic SH51 coastline drive has become a safer, more reliable and more enjoyable ride,” says Mr Laird.