Work has begun to clear a roadside section of SH1 at Spring Creek before construction starts on a northbound passing lane in the area near Marlborough.
Wellington Regional Manager Graham Taylor says the Spring Creek Northbound Passing Lane Project will provide road users with a third overtaking opportunity between Picton and Blenheim. The passing lane is the final one for the area and concludes a passing lane strategy aimed at providing a more efficient journey for road users and less frustration between people travelling at different speeds.
“The purpose of these passing lanes is to allow travellers the ability to overtake slower road users, and on SH1 it's important that we keep people moving to their destination for whatever their purpose,” Mr Taylor says.
Contractor Fulton Hogan plans to start work in the middle of January following the holiday period and should be finished in June. Mr Taylor says the work takes place at the side of the road meaning there should be little effect to road users, but every effort would be made to minimise any inconvenience.
He says site clearing work began recently to remove obstacles in the path of the project. This includes plants, power poles and other objects.
Mr Taylor says in this case consideration was given over whether some of the trees along the roadside in the affected area could be transplanted elsewhere due to their age and type. However, on the advice of an arborist, NZTA was told these trees were not suitable for relocation and were cut down.
