Short delays driving through Oamaru for the next six weeks

The Transport Agency’s Highway Highlanders contracting crews are working their way along State Highway 1 in Oamaru this week through to mid-June on roading improvements.

“We ask people to build in a little extra time along Severn and Thames Streets in coming weeks as we make the highway surface safer in time for the icy winter months,” says Nick Rodger, NZ Transport Agency Maintenance Contract Manager. “We understand these delays may be frustrating but the aim is to provide a much safer highway ahead of the coldest winter months.”

This week’s work started along Severn St, between Coquet and Ribble Streets, improving the highway surface texture to give better grip.

Significant work starting today, build in extra time

The second stage of work begins today (Friday) on Severn St, near Oamaru Creek and the Public Gardens.

• It involves rebuilding the road base and laying new asphalt.
• The work programme will run every day including weekends, 6 am to 8 pm.
• There will be side road closures, detours, a reduction in road lanes, restricted parking areas, and reduced speed – 30 km/hour.
• The work could run through to Friday, 25 May but wet weather will affect completion.
• Road access closures will occur at Cross and Isis Street for up to two weeks. People will need to use the back entrances to local businesses and the Oamaru Public Gardens while these highway closures are in place.

• As these road works are near the public hospital, emergency vehicle access will take priority over general traffic.

Thames St last stage, Dee St to Orana Park

The last stage of work is planned for 19 May to 12 June along Thames St, replacing the asphalt on the northern direction lanes, if the weather remains warm enough. The road will be reduced to one lane, 30km/hr, with temporary and short-term restrictions to parking and school drop-off and pick-up areas, as well as some short delays at intersections for people accessing side streets to the west.

Because the new asphalt is going through the highway intersections, there will also be short periods of reduced access to the west on Dee, Usk, Exe, Nen, Trent, Ouse and Orwell Streets.

If the weather is too cold for this last stage of work to be undertaken, it will be postponed until spring.

For more information on this project: coastalotago@downer.co.nz or 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (44 44 49).

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