Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is advising that the southbound lanes on State Highway 1 (SH1) at Johnsonville will be closed for a short period on Tuesday 4 January 2022 to allow for removal of hazardous trees above the highway.
“This work has been scheduled for the public holiday when early morning traffic is typically lower than other times of the year, to minimise disruption to motorists” Regional Maintenance and Operations Manager Mark Owen says.
“Several large trees were removed over Anzac weekend earlier this year, but with severe weather in recent months one dead tree has fallen and poses a potential danger to state highway traffic. The tree has been temporarily secured to prevent it falling downhill.
“While contractors have the opportunity they will also remove several other trees that might pose a future hazard at this location.”
To protect the safety of motorists on the highway long-term, Waka Kotahi has worked with contractors to arrange the removal of the trees. This will take place on Tuesday 4 January 2022 between 7am and 9am. These works are being done early morning when it is light for the safety of our workers and prior to the main traffic volumes.
The southbound lanes will be closed between Johnsonville southbound off-ramp and Johnsonville southbound on-ramp during this period. Southbound traffic will detour through Johnsonville central business district.
A traffic control team will monitor the northbound lanes in case there is a danger of debris falling onto the northbound lanes when trees are lifted out by crane.
Traffic conditions will also be monitored throughout the works and traffic management will be altered as necessary to avoid the build-up of lengthy queues and traffic disruptions.
The southbound highway will open at 9am. If any finishing work is required, traffic safety will be managed by stopping vehicles for brief periods if necessary.
Work may be postponed to Saturday 8 January if wind or rain is too strong for the work to proceed safely.
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