Summer is here and so is the annual NZ Transport Agency maintenance programme. Works will be undertaken on Bay of Plenty highway roads throughout the summer season until February.
The Transport Agency’s Bay of Plenty highways manager, Brett Gliddon says with the arrival of the warmer drier weather, the conditions are optimal for a range of maintenance works to be undertaken in the Bay to ensure the region’s highways are safe for motorists.
“Our roads are exposed to wear and tear and so it is essential that we resurface and repair our roads, so motorists have a safe road to drive on. Warm temperatures helps the new seal stick to the existing surface more effectively. It is also important we do this work during dry weather to avoid the risks of pot holes forming because of water in the road surface,” says Mr Gliddon.
“We acknowledge that road works are an inconvenience to drivers and we try to minimise the delays. As holiday traffic starts to build we closedown our work sites over the Christmas period from Friday 20 December and start back up again from Monday 6 January.”
He says that there will be posted speed restrictions in place at a number of sites and asks drivers to stick to them. “They are there to protect our work crews. They also help protect windscreens and vehicles, from damage when people drive too fast and flick up loose chips.”
The Transport Agency is spending $13 million on Bay of Plenty state highway maintenance, operations and renewals between 2013/14.
Advertisements showing areas where maintenance works will be undertaken have been running in local papers since November, motorists are encouraged to read these or to go to the www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/maintenance-programme(external link) for more information.
