The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) advises motorists heading south on State Highway 1 that the scheduled closure of the motorway off-ramp onto Aotea Quay will be extended from Monday 20 September to Thursday 14 October 2010.
NZTA state highways manager Rob Whight said the closure periods will continue to be from 8pm each evening through to 5am the following morning, excluding Friday and Saturday nights.
“During this time, we advise motorists wanting to access Aotea Quay to exit at the Ngauranga Interchange and travel along Hutt Road. Electronic signs will be in place to advise motorists of this diversion.”
Mr Whight said the closures allow access for contractors to carry out work as part of the NZTA’s $4.5 million Thorndon Overbridge Safety Improvements project. The revised closure dates are due to additional work being identified, as the associated design changes required the postponement of the initial ramp closure period.
“Once the work is completed on the southbound Aotea off-ramp, we will be looking at closing the northbound Aotea Quay on-ramp. We will confirm the dates for closure of the on-ramp closer to the time.”
“We apologise to motorists for any inconvenience while this work is carried out, and we thank everyone for their patience.”
Mr Whight says the project will provide an enhanced crash barrier system over more than 3km of motorway, improving the safety of motorists along SH1 Thorndon Overbridge, and including Aotea Quay on and off ramps.
The NZ Transport Agency’s (NZTA) $4.5 million safety improvements project on Wellington’s SH1 motorway, replacing crash barriers on the Thorndon Overbridge above Aotea Quay, started in June 2010.
The existing crash barriers were installed when the overbridge was built during the1970s. Exposure to 40 years of Wellington weather and salt spray has taken its toll and the barrier needs replacing. Technology has also moved on since the ‘70s and the new barrier will provide additional protection to motorists.
It is expected that it will take up to a year to complete the work.
During this time, to ensure motorist and workforce safety while working, traffic will be reduced to two lanes and the speed limit reduced to 70km/h through the project.
To minimise delays, all lanes will be open during peak hours – that is three lanes southbound during the AM peak and three lanes northbound during the PM peak.
Motorists are encouraged to merge early and safely as directed by the electronic lane control signs and temporary traffic signs.
To enable work to be carried out safely at the Aotea Quay on and off ramps, full ramp closures will be required.
