The NZ Transport Agency will get started on the first stage of a series of major safety improvements to State Highway 58 between Upper Hutt and Plimmerton next week.
Transport Agency Wellington highways manager Rod James says early next week, contractors will begin a $2.5m realignment and reconstruction of the section between Harris and Mt Cecil Roads, where a current temporary 50km/hr limit is in place.
The 20-week project involves cutting eight metres into the southern side of the hill to straighten the curve, the removal of the passing lane, the installation of a 700m wire rope safety barrier, and improvements to the drainage systems to maintain the road’s integrity. The road is also being made safer for cyclists, with a full 1.5m shoulder being provided.
Mr James says the work may cause some delays to normal traffic flows, and is asking that all road users are patient while it’s carried out.
This realignment is the first stage in a wider $30m package of improvements scheduled for SH58 between SH2 and Transmission Gully, which includes further curve realignments, a reduction in the speed limit (from 100 to 80km/hr), the installation of a wire rope barrier and a roundabout at Moonshine Road.
“We’ve received some excellent feedback from the public on these proposals from the recent open days, and will be sharing the results of this process that in early February,” says Mr James.
“While these wider safety improvements are now progressing through design, we have been able to start work on this section early in parallel with the draining improvement works that are part of this year’s maintenance program”
A grade-separated interchange at the intersection of SH58 and SH2 is also planned, and subject to funding approvals, is expected to start in the first half of 2015.
More information on the work planned for SH58 and the surrounding local roads can be found by visiting www.nzta.govt.nz/sh58-improvements(external link) or emailing sh58safety@nzta.govt.nz
For more information please contact:
Anthony Frith
Media Manager - Central
T: 04 894 5251
M: 027 213 7617
E: anthony.frith@nzta.govt.nz
