Changes are being made to the way the NZ Transport Agency will deliver its new season of maintenance work on the state highway network in Northland to reduce delays and disruption for road users.
Changes are being made to the way the NZ Transport Agency will deliver its new season of maintenance work on the state highway network in Northland to reduce delays and disruption for road users.
The $8.4m maintenance programme kicks off after the Labour Weekend break at a number of different sites around the region.
The Transport Agency’s Highway Manager, Brett Gliddon, says the key change is the time of day when contractors do their work.
“At some of our sites, you may now see contractors working overnight and at weekends to minimise delays.
“Our maintenance programme is essential to keep the network safe for all road users, but we acknowledge that completing that work in daylight during the working week has been disruptive in some parts of the region particularly for Northland’s freight industry.”
Mr Gliddon says the new timetable for maintenance work follows meetings with the freight industry.
Northport’s CEO, Jon Moore, gives the Transport Agency credit for finding a better solution to keep freight moving.
“The Transport Agency has listened to the industry’s concerns about hold-ups and has done something about it. Hopefully, delays will now be minimal and that will benefit not only the freight industry, but everyone travelling in Northland this summer,” Mr Moore says.
The Transport Agency’s maintenance programme starts in spring when the weather is more settled. It includes repairs to potholes and cracked surfaces, and improving slippery surfaces that have reduced skid resistance.
“The network’s had a lot of wear and tear, particularly after last winter’s storms, and keeping it in good shape is important,” Mr Gliddon says.
The first tranche of construction projects include the following:-
SH1 Flygers Road north of the SH15A Ruakaka roundabout (28 October to mid-November): road construction for approximately 200m to fix patches and provide a durable and safe surface to drive on. Work is planned for 3 weeks and will involve some night works.
SH1 Turntable Hill north of Moerewa (28 October – mid-November):
drainage upgrade and road construction for approximately 260m. This work is planned for 6 weeks. Further works to address the slip is still under investigation.
SH1 Lambergs (10 November – mid-December): drainage upgrade and road construction for approximately 260m. This is planned for 5 weeks.
SH11 Seaview Heights (28 October – late-November): drainage upgrades and road construction for approximately 430m. This is planned for 6 weeks.
SH12 Griffin Road (31 October to late December): 6 week-long project to upgrade drainage and construction of the road for 540m.
SH14 Bob Taylor Road (underway to late November): drainage, safety, and kerb upgrades, and road construction for approximately 850m. Work is planned over 6 weeks and will include weekend work.
Mr Gliddon asks all drivers to observe temporary speed limits and other traffic management measures when driving through worksites for their safety, and the safety of contractors.
Information on travel conditions are available at www.highwayinfo.govt.nz(external link) or 0800 44 44 49, or 0800 111 655 (for more details on Northland roads).
For more information please contact:
Ewart Barnsley
Auckland/Northland Media Manager
NZ Transport Agency
T: 09 928 8720
M: 027 213 7616
E: ewart.barnsley@nzta.govt.nz
