Construction has started on the first of nine new passing opportunities on State Highway 2 between Napier and Gisborne.
The work includes building new passing lanes and extending existing passing opportunities in a bid to keep drivers safer on the highway.
The work will take place between now and March 2014 at Kopua Hill and several locations between Lake Tutira and Te Ngaru. The total cost of the design and construction is estimated at around $4 million, which has been provided by the Minister for Transport.
State Highway Manager Chuck Dowdell acknowledged residents concerns over the closing of the Napier to Gisborne railway line and the impact on traffic volumes on the highway.
“Our customers have told us they are concerned about the extra trucks on the road between Napier and Gisborne and they want to more passing opportunities. We are happy that we can provide them with more places to overtake slow moving vehicles that will help keep them and their passengers safe as they travel around the region,” said Chuck.
As well as the passing opportunities, the NZ Transport Agency will increase its monitoring of the impact of heavy traffic on the condition of the road. In addition the National Land Transport Programme has also allocated $9 to $10 million over the next three years to improve the condition of the highway.
For more travel and traffic information in the Napier and Gisborne area see our roadworks map in Hawke’s Bay Today, call 0800 4 Highways or sign up for email alerts at www.onthemove.govt.nz(external link)
