Work is due to begin this week on repairing two slips on State Highway 1 at Moerewa’s Turntable Hill.
When the slip repair is finished a one kilometre northbound passing lane will be reopened, helping ease traffic delays for motorists heading up the hill.
The NZ Transport Agency says work to repair the 50 metre long section of highway near Hautapu Road is due to start on 29 July, and weather permitting, it’s hoped it will be finished in December.
The construction includes building a 2m high gabion wall and repairing the road surface.
“The design has been complex due to the location of the slip and the soil and rock conditions which has meant it’s taken us longer than we’d have liked to get the repairs underway,” says Brett Gliddon the Transport Agency’s Northland Highway Manager.
“We’re very pleased to be able to make a start on fixing this area so that we’re able to reopen the passing lane to improve travel for our customers in time for the busy summer holiday season.”
The Transport Agency hopes to maintain two-way traffic during the construction process to minimise any delays to motorists.
The state highway has remained open in both directions since the slips, during storms late in 2014, but the passing lane and one shoulder have been closed.
