It’s anniversary weekend for Manawatū-Whanganui this weekend – the perfect chance to relax and explore the region.
As always, while travelling around, please drive to the conditions, and be aware of possible delays, temporary traffic management, and lower speeds in some places.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi System Manager for Manawatū-Whanganui and Taranaki, Liesl Dawson says crews will be out working in some areas and will do their best to make sure journeys are as smooth as possible this weekend.
“The safety of all road users is paramount. There will still be activity at some worksites during the weekend so please be patient, give yourself extra travel time and take regular breaks on long journeys.”
One such work site is on State Highway 3 at Makirikiri Stream Bridge in Turakina. Crews there are resurfacing a section of road near the bridge and improving drainage.
Stop/Go traffic management and a reduced speed limit will be in place this Saturday (20 January) between 6am and 1pm while crews finish resurfacing. Motorists are advised to expect delays of up to 20 minutes as a result of this work. Temporary speed restrictions will remain in place until the road is swept and line marking completed on Monday night (22 January).
Speeding over a freshly sealed road can damage the new seal, lifting and flicking stones from the road that can, in turn, damage nearby vehicles or your own. Hot bitumen can also splash up and stick to your paintwork. To minimise the risk of damage to both vehicles and the new seal, it is crucial that road users adhere to all temporary speed restrictions in place.
Immediately following the long weekend, on Tuesday (23 January) between 6am – 6pm, resealing works are planned for a stretch of State Highway 56 between Longburn and Palmerston North.
Stop/Go and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h will be in place. Crews will be working on three different sites on this stretch of road, and motorists are advised to expect delays up to 20 minutes.
Further north, crews will be getting ready for the start of night work on a stretch of State Highway 1 at Utiku, south of Taihape, from next Tuesday (23 January).
Two lanes will be kept open at the site but stop/go traffic management may be necessary at times. It’s important road users plan ahead by checking the NZTA interactive Journey Planner and drive to the conditions.
There won’t be work on site on Monday but over the weekend, the temporary speed restriction will be in place.
While the night works are underway, daytime work will also continue.
Contractors are building back a section of road, which has been excavated, with aggregate and geogrid stabilisation matting. It is expected that the night work will last for at least six weeks.
The road renewal work will continue until March, making the most of the traditional summer season, with warmer temperatures.
“The crucial summer maintenance period is continuing. We can only undertake significant road renewals during the warmer, drier months of the year so motorists will experience some disruption, particularly if they’re driving long distances during the peak of summer,” says Ms Dawson.”
“When you’re out on the roads this weekend, make safe choices to protect yourself and others and please keep our roading crews safe. Drive to the speed limit, don’t drink and drive, make sure you’re rested, and plan ahead.”
“Due to the level of activity across the network we highly recommend checking the NZTA Journey Planner before starting your journey.”
Video: Roadworks 101 - keeping everyone safe around roadworks(external link)
