Whangarei residents wanting information on the proposed State Highway One (SH1) Whangarei Improvements between Tarewa Road and Selwyn Avenue can now direct inquiries to a dedicated 0800 number.
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has established the number to facilitate resident inquiries and a billboard advertising the number 0800 PROGRESS (0800 776 473) will go up on the corner of Selwyn and SH1 next week.
Some houses already purchased for the works have been removed, and work to widen SH1 and improve intersections is scheduled to start early next year.
“The 0800 Progress number will provide an easy way for the Whangarei community to find out the latest on what’s happening with planned improvements on the highway” says the NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Northland, Tommy Parker.
Work is likely to start at the Central Avenue intersection in the New Year and then move to Selwyn Avenue. A temporary surface may be used at the Selwyn intersection initially to minimise disruption during the Rugby World Cup next September with more extensive permanent works from Selwyn to Wilson completed in late 2011 or early 2012.
Separate work to upgrade culvert crossings and improve utility services between Selwyn and Wilson Avenue is due to start soon and be completed before Christmas.
Improvement work from Wilson to Fourth Avenue is not planned until late next year at the earliest. Whangarei District Council is also proposing work in the area, including a link road from Wilson Ave to Fifth Ave. Once these works are complete, NZTA will consider closing the existing Wilson Avenue access to SH1.
Design for the SH14/1 intersection is complete, with early works to improve drainage and utility services in the area likely to start early next year Construction of the intersection is scheduled for late 2011 and be completed in April 2012. Design for the Tarewa intersection will start in December with construction expected in early 2012.
Improvements to the Kensington Avenue and Manse Street intersections are being investigated with survey, traffic modelling and geotechnical testing scheduled for next month. Design should be completed midway through next year and construction possible in late 2012.
