Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises work to make State Highway 1 near Fergusson Gully Road safer will recommence on Tuesday 24 November and is expected to continue for about four weeks, weather permitting.
There had been a delay in this project while investigations to ensure stability of the road shoulder took place. The northbound passing lane was closed as a precautionary safety measure while these investigations were completed. Waka Kotahi has now completed those investigations, the lane has been re-opened, and the installation of the median barrier will start again on Tuesday.
Two and a half kilometres of median barrier will be installed between Fergusson Gully Road and south of Keeley’s Reserve, utilising road width available because of the widening completed in 2018.
SH1 is expected to remain open in both directions while the median barriers are being installed. There will be temporary traffic management in place to keep workers and motorists safe, including a 30km/h temporary speed limit through the work zone. Motorists should expect to see heavy trucks, machinery, cones and further lane shifts and closures along this part of the highway. It may also be necessary to operate Stop/Go traffic management for short periods. These measures are in place to ensure the safety of both road users and road workers.
This work is part of a series of improvements to reduce the crash risk on the section of SH1 between Fergusson Gully Road and Maungatautari Road. This 6.8km road has resulted in 13 serious injuries between 2014 and 2019. As well as the 2.5km of median barrier, additional median and roadside barriers are also planned to address key safety risks further south on the state highway down to Maungatautari Road. Waka Kotahi is currently investigating potential options and designs, and it is expected these can be shared with the community shortly, with construction proposed for 2021.
Safety barriers prevent head-on crashes and therefore make a big difference in reducing potential deaths and injuries if someone makes a mistake.
Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience while we undertake these important safety improvements.
Further information out this and other work happening on SH1 between Cambridge and Piarere can be found at www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/cambridge-to-piarere/cambridge-to-piarere-safer-roads-and-roadsides/
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