Essential pavement testing works (strength testing) will take place on SH51 between Ellison Street and Waitangi Road, Napier from tomorrow, Thursday 12 January 2023 to Friday 27 January 2023.
Given the current forecast for Napier during the remainder of the week, tomorrow’s start date is weather dependent.
The work will take place between 9.30am and 8pm, Monday to Saturday, and is part of the upcoming SH51 safety improvement project.
During the works, the northbound lane of SH51 will be closed. Motorists travelling from Hastings will have to turn into Waitangi Road and use the detour.
The southbound lane will remain open.
A small section of Awatoto Road between Te Awa Avenue and SH51 will also be closed. This means there will be no access from SH51 to Awatoto Road.
Road users wanting to turn into Awatoto Road at the Awatoto intersection will either need to travel to Waitangi Road intersection and turn around via Waitangi Road or turn off at Ellison Street and use Te Awa Avenue.
Local detours will be in place for traffic, via Waitangi Road, Awatoto Road, Te Awa Avenue and Ellison Street. This route is suitable for all vehicles and people should follow signage onsite.
Access for emergency services will not be disrupted during this work.
Delays are expected along this route, so please allow extra time for your journey or avoid the area during this time.
“Over the past few years, there have been several serious crashes on SH51 between Napier and Hastings,” says Waka Kotahi Principal Project Manager Chris Nally.
“Pavement testing is part of the work which will make this corridor safer for everyone by constructing a new roundabout and putting in place flexible median barriers, side barriers and wider centrelines,” says Mr Nally.
“Thank you for your patience and cooperation while these works take place.”
