From early next month, Oamaru road users, businesses and residents are urged to plan for delays when SH1 between Ribble Street and Orana Park is rebuilt.
Work will start on Monday, 3 September and run through to around the end of the month, weather dependent. Construction crews will be on site from 6am to 8pm Monday to Saturday.
“The extensive nature of these roadworks means flow-on impacts to people’s travel and property access will be unavoidable,” says NZ Transport Agency Maintenance Contract Manager Nick Rodger. The roadworks will rebuild the road foundation on the northbound lanes of SH1 to provide a smoother and stronger road surface. In turn, this will reduce potholes and the potential for slumping in the years ahead.
“We need to dig deep into the existing surface in order to build a solid base for the road foundations on the two traffic lanes heading north on SH1 / Thames Street,” says Mr Rodger. “While we will make every practical effort to minimise the impacts on road users, businesses and nearby residents, delays will be inevitable as the two northbound lanes will be reduced to one lane between Ribble and Orwell Streets. We apologise in advance for the inconvenience this work may cause.”
Delays of up to five minutes can be expected along with road closures to Ribble, Dee, Usk, Nen, Trent, Ouse, and Orwell Streets to the west of SH1. In addition to this, there will be short-term, parking restrictions, traffic and cycle lane closures, limited pedestrian access across the highway and lower speeds.
“Keeping road users, pedestrians, cyclists and the construction crew as safe as possible throughout this job is a top priority, particularly given the proximity to a number of schools, a kindergarten and the recreation centre.”
During peak morning and afternoon travel times drivers should expect traffic queues. It is important for drivers to plan their travel while this major piece of work is carried out, and as part of this build in a few extra minutes for their travel.
“We encourage people to continue supporting businesses in the area even if they may be slightly harder than normal to access,” says Mr Rodger.
