The NZ Transport Agency is advising motorists that traffic changes will be happening next week following excellent progress by construction crews on the safety upgrade of the Otaihanga Intersection, just north of Paraparaumu on State Highway 1.
Transport Agency Wellington highways manager Rod James says traffic will be switching onto a section of the newly constructed roundabout on Monday 18 November.
The Otaihanga Intersection Improvements project will replace the existing intersection with a two-lane roundabout and is part of a suite of safety improvements along this stretch of highway.
Transport Agency Wellington Highways Manager Rod James says the work is progressing ahead of schedule and has meant that traffic can be moved onto the new a section of roundabout before the holiday period begins.
“It’s been great to see the roundabout taking shape over the past few months, and it’s due to the hard work and dedication of the construction teams, particularly through some recent bad weather, that we’re able to move traffic onto part of the new roundabout well ahead of the Christmas break”, he says.
“This is a significant step towards improving the safety of journeys through this challenging and busy intersection.”
“There may be some delays as people get used to the new road layout and we urge drivers to take care in this area, with reduced speed limits still in place until we open the full roundabout early next year”, explains Mr James.
Temporary traffic management will be in place each night between 8pm and 5am from Sunday 17 to Thursday 21 November so leave some extra time for your journey. Traffic will be switched onto the new lanes by 5am Monday 18 November and the old route closed.
The Otaihanga Road/SH1 intersection will have a new configuration; but will continue to operate as a ‘T’ intersection following the traffic switch.
“This new layout will be in place until the full roundabout is opened early next year. The Otaihanga roundabout will be similar to the existing roundabout on SH1 at Plimmerton, although Otaihanga will be slightly larger at roughly 70m wide with a 48m wide central island”, explains Mr James.
As well as improving safety, the new Otaihanga roundabout is expected to improve traffic flow, especially during peak times.
Construction on this project started in July 2013 and is expected to be completed by April 2014.
