The NZ Transport Agency are about to get started on more improvements at Ngauranga to keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely, particularly during the evening peak.
NZTA State Highways Manager Wellington Rod James said the works will begin in early February and involve improvements to the State Highway 2 (SH2) northbound on-ramp at Ngauranga to improve traffic flow and safety. This is the merge point where traffic travelling from Ngauranga towards Petone merges with SH2 just north of the Ngauranga Interchange. The work is part of Stage 1 of the NZTA’s Ngauranga to Aotea Quay project.
“These works include providing additional length to two lanes, improving roadside barriers and pavement markings, and improving the merge area with SH2.”
“The changes may appear relatively subtle but we expect them to make a noticeable improvement to how traffic flows and merges at this very busy on-ramp.”
“The biggest difference will be for people travelling home towards the Hutt Valley during the evening rush hour from both Ngauranga and Wellington, easing the current queues and improving the safety of the merge”.
Mr James said that weather permitting, the works should be completed by June 2013, but throughout this period traffic management measures will be put in place to completely separate the work from highway traffic, reducing any delays to a minimum. Motorists are asked to take extra care during the construction period and allow a few extra minutes for their journeys. The NZTA thanks motorists for their patience while this work is completed.
Earlier works on this project have included improvements to merge and ‘diverge’ (where traffic streams separate) points on State Highway 1 (SH1) and SH 2 in Ngauranga, and were completed in August 2011.
The Ngauranga to Aotea Quay project is part of the Wellington Northern Corridor road of national significance which runs from Levin to Wellington Airport. The section of highway experiences high levels of congestion during peak periods, and the improvements planned are being introduced in stages to deliver benefits as early as possible.
Later stages of this project will include providing an additional southbound and northbound lane between Ngauranga and Aotea Quay to ease the current merge between SH1and SH2, and eventually to the Terrace Tunnel.
