Work is underway on the construction of a northbound passing lane on State Highway 1 north of Pukeuri near Oamaru.
Work is underway on the construction of a northbound passing lane on State Highway 1 north of Pukeuri near Oamaru. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) awarded a contract to Fulton Hogan late last year for the project, which involves widening the existing carriageway and providing a third traffic lane between McEneany Road and Richmond Road. The aim of the project is to improve safety and increase the efficiency of this most important freight route. Overtaking will be safer and drivers will be less frustrated during busy periods on the road.
Work on the project started before Christmas and is expected to be completed before April. Construction will cause some disruption to traffic along this section of State Highway 1, mainly in the form of temporarily reduced speed limits to ensure the safety of both the travelling public and the workers on the construction site. Drivers are asked to comply with the temporary speed limits and are reminded that they can expect the police to enforce them.
NZTA Regional Director, Bruce Richards says the agency has a long-term plan to provide improved overtaking opportunities throughout the State highway network.
“Along State Highway 1, in particular, we are aiming to provide regular passing lanes in both directions in order to cater for the mix of cars and freight vehicles on the network, and to make journey times more reliable.”
