Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has started the summer roadworks season. Here’s what it means for your journeys.
While summer still seems a fair way off in Taranaki, the Transport Agency has already started the annual summer road maintenance programme.
Transport Agency Transport System Manager Mark Owen says the programme that started in October will see road reconstruction, resurfacing and other maintenance work carried out on more than 60 work sites both large and small on state highways throughout Taranaki.
“We’ll be delivering a large work programme within the region this season to improve the roads, increase safety and make people’s journeys more reliable. We have started early to ensure we can get plenty of work done before the busy holiday travel period and to maximise the summer weather.
“The resurfacing work in particular will improve conditions and make the roads safer for everyone.”
Mr Owen says warmer spring and summer months are the best time for resurfacing, as daylight hours are longer and the warm temperatures and dry air help the new seal stick to the road surface.
The Transport Agency is also urging people to be aware of road workers and to comply with temporary speed restrictions through work sites to keep them safe.
“Keeping your speed down where sealing work is underway or has just been completed not only helps to settle in the new road surface, it will also prevent stone chips flying into windscreens and protect our crews from injuries.”
Updates on specific work sites will be provided throughout the roadworks season, but road users can expect some delays on journeys from Mokau to Waverly on State Highway 3, on state highways 3, 44 and 45 in New Plymouth city, and New Plymouth to Hawera on State Highway 45.
Further north, delays are expected through to 2021 with the construction of the SH3 Awakino Tunnel Bypass, which started earlier in 2019.
Mr Owen says that despite a busy summer roadworks programme, most work stops before busy holiday travel periods like Christmas and New Year, to minimise disruption to people’s journeys.
“While we try to keep inconveniences and delays to a minimum, we urge people to be patient and plan their journeys to account for some delays from road works.”
The Transport Agency’s Journey Planner website is a great tool which includes interactive maps, worksites, area warnings, traffic updates and state highways road works information: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/taranaki(external link)
You can also follow Transport Agency Central North Island on Facebook for traffic and travel updates or call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS for more information.
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