State Highway 51’s (SH51) new roundabout will be open to all traffic from tomorrow morning (Monday 25 March).
The north and sound bound lanes of the new roundabout were sealed earlier this month and for the past fortnight, motorists have been using those lanes through the roundabout.
In the past fortnight, contractors have been working to construct the new, longer Awatoto Road intersection to connect with the new roundabout.
That connection will open tomorrow and the roundabout will be in full use. A temporary speed limit will remain in place.
Principal project manager Jacob Laird says the roundabout is an integral part of the entire SH51 safety improvements project and to see it in full use is an exciting milestone.
“We’ve received positive feedback so far about the roundabout and we’re confident motorists will love it even more when the Awatoto Road intersection is open.
“This intersection has been dangerous for people trying to turn right onto the state highway - now there’s a controlled opportunity for them to do so.
“People travelling through will continue to see more activity on the state highway and to the side of it over the coming weeks, as the existing section of state highway is ripped up, filled with soil and planted, a safer shared path crossing installed and the widened parts of the state highway sealed.
“We’re not far now from the finish line and we’re grateful for the support we’ve received from residents and businesses in the area and people using the road during this time.”
For more on the project please visit:
SH51 Napier to Hastings safety improvements
Images below show the new three-legged roundabout at the Awatoto Road and SH51 intersection which will be open to traffic on Monday 25 March.
