“Drive to the conditions, follow the sign posted detour and adhere to the temporary speed restrictions in place.”
That’s the message from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to motorists while a stretch of SH3, just south of Stratford, is closed for essential resurfacing works.
The detour is part of a large rebuild of more than two kilometres of SH3 between Finnerty and Bird Roads.
During this time, the signposted detour takes northbound traffic left at Climie Road and back onto Ōpunake Road and Celia Street before rejoining SH3.
“We’ve heard from our contractors that a number of road users are turning off Climie prematurely and onto Brookes Road,” says Waka Kotahi Manawatū-Whanganui / Taranaki System Manager Rob Service.
“It’s really important that Brookes Road is kept only for residents. Please follow the signposted detour route to minimise the risk to road user safety. Brookes Road is not suitable for the volume of traffic diverted from the state highway, nor is it safe or permitted for heavier vehicles.”
“Our contractors are making really good progress on site and are tracking ahead of schedule, and we need people to be patient and drive to the conditions while they complete this important work.
“The detour route has a temporary speed restriction in place and it’s really important road users adhere to these restrictions to ensure the safety of themselves and others,” says Mr Service.
“We also want to thank motorists for their patience, as we know how frustrating delays can sometimes be.”
Crews have completed the first stage of work – between Climie and Finnerty Roads – two weeks ahead of schedule and are scheduled to have both the second and third sections of work sealed by Friday 31 March, weather permitting. This is earlier than the initially scheduled completion date of 29 April.
The two remaining sections, located at the intersection of SH3 and Climie Road, and SH3 between Climie Road and Bird Road respectively, are being completed concurrently under a combination of stop/go traffic controls and a detour for northbound traffic to enable a shorter construction period overall.
Once sealed, the sites will be monitored, swept and line marked during off peak hours before the road is fully reopened and temporary speed restrictions removed.
