A section of State Highway 3 at Awahuri will be closed during the day for three weeks in October to allow part of it to be rebuilt, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises.
Manawatū-Whanganui System Manager Maintenance and Operations, Rob Service, says there will be a detour in place while the road is closed to allow contractors to undertake the work.
“Our contractors will rebuild a section of State Highway 3 between Stewart Road and Awahuri Feilding Road to build strength back into it, improve drainage, and ensure it is safe for people to use.”
The work will be carried out from Monday 3 October to Thursday 20 October inclusive, between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
During this time, SH3 will be closed between Stewart Road and Awahuri Feilding Road and traffic travelling south toward Palmerston North will be diverted down Stewart Road to Awahuri Feilding Road, with northbound traffic taking the same route, in reverse.
Overnight and on Sundays the road will be open with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place.
Mr Service says there are various phases to the renewal work, including hoeing the existing pavement, adding additional base course gravel, grade compact and sealing with a first coat.
“Contractors will then be back in about 12 months to add the second coat seal, which is the final waterproof layer. This is a standard road construction technique used across New Zealand, which ensures the first coat is well trafficked to prevent flushing.”
Flushing is where bitumen rises up through the road surface covering the chip, resulting in a lack of texture and skid resistance. In wet weather, it also does not allow water to drain away effectively, which can cause a loss of traction.
This work is being carried out as part of the Manawatū-Whanganui summer maintenance programme.
People are asked to follow traffic management directions and adhere to speed restrictions to ensure the safety of everyone involved and to minimise the risk of damage to both vehicles and any new seal.
Waka Kotahi thanks everyone for their patience while we undertake this important maintenance work.
