Work to improve three Richmond intersections on SH6 before the end of winter 2009 is a step closer now that the construction contract has been awarded.
Work to improve three Richmond intersections on SH6 before the end of winter 2009 is a step closer now that the construction contract has been awarded.
Wellington Regional Manager Graham Taylor says the $3.5m McGlashen Intersection Improvements Project, due to begin soon, is a welcome step forward for the Richmond area as it will satisfy two needs – to improve safety and efficiency on the state highway and to support Tasman District Council’s town centre upgrade.
“We’re really pleased to see progress on this project because it will reduce congestion and the likelihood or severity of crashes and it will help the Council with their roading objectives,” Mr Taylor says.
The project, which redesigns a section of state highway in Richmond, will introduce three sets of traffic signal controlled intersections at McGlashen Avenue, Queen and Oxford Streets and a seagull intersection layout at McGlashen Avenue. It will ensure there are two lanes of through traffic on the highway, but also introduces a third slip lane for turning vehicles into each of the roads. The three intersections will be linked to ensure there is a steady pulse of vehicles moving efficiently and safely along the highway.
Mr Taylor says the biggest change for locals will be the main access point to Richmond township moving to McGlashen Avenue rather than Queen Street.
“This will be a big change for many people, but it is part of Tasman District Council’s wider plan to revitalise the city centre as it will encourage vehicles through the township in a particular way.”
He says that more information will be made available when a Fulton Hogan have a start date and programme of work finalised.
For more information please contact:
Andree Kai Fong
Communications advisor
T 64 4 801 2521
M 027 672 5881
F 04 4 801 2599
andree.kaifong@nzta.govt.nz
