Travelling through roadworks isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time, but it’s a fact of life that we need to maintain our highways to keep them safe.
The tough reality is that we have to do this work some time, and for State Highway 1 at Mana that time will be over the next couple of weeks.
NZ Transport Agency regional performance manager Mark Owen says that as part of a $5 million seasonal roadworks safety programme, the NZ Transport Agency will be carrying out repairs and maintenance to State Highway 1 through Mana from Monday 31 March to 11 April, weather permitting. Motorists are asked to allow an extra 10 minutes on average for their journeys, although travel times will vary.
“We recognise that this is a really busy stretch, and we’ll be keeping the road at full capacity during peak hour. However, we will need to slow down traffic to keep work crews safe and to make sure that the road surface isn’t compromised.
“For your safety, the safety of our road crews and to prevent damage to your vehicle please stick to the temporary speed limits.
“While we usually endeavour to do this kind of work at night, we need to work during the day at Mana to ensure we’re not creating a din for local residents.
“We’ll be monitoring traffic right from the start to ensure that we’re doing everything we can to keep things moving and minimise frustration for motorists.
“Because it’s not feasible to close the highway, doing roadworks is a bit like re-soling your shoes while you’re still running. We thank motorists for bearing with us while we get this important work done.
“We’d also like to thank our road crews, who work day and night in often difficult conditions to keep our roads safe and in good nick.”
Mr Owen says resurfacing work will also be happening from the Plimmerton Weigh Station to the Plimmerton Roundabout in the southbound lane on Monday 31 March from 9am to 3pm. One lane will be open to traffic at all times but a reduced speed limit will be in place while work is underway.
Mr Owen says the Wellington public have been very patient during roadworks over the last few months, and the Agency will be giving motorists a break from them over the Easter break.
Mr Owen says that while roadworks can be frustrating, well-maintained road surfaces are crucial to keeping New Zealanders safe on the state highways.
“Pot holes, cracked roads and slippery roads that have lost their skid resistance can increase the risk of crashes and injuries. Plus, the feedback we get from drivers tells us that good road surfaces are important to them. While we know roadworks can be dusty, noisy and just generally a bit of a pain, drivers will have a better, safer road once this work is done.
Full details of this year’s roadworks programme are available by visiting http://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/maintenance-programme/wellington-kapiti.html(external link)
Drivers can also join the Transport Agency’s Twitter feed (@NZTAWgtn) to get real-time updates about what’s happening in and around the Wellington region. Information is also available by signing up at www.onthemove.govt.nz(external link) or by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).
For more information please contact:
Anthony Frith
Media Manager – Central
NZ Transport Agency
T: 04 894 5251
M: 027 213 7617
E: anthony.frith@nzta.govt.nz
