The safety improvements to State Highway 1 over the Brynderwyn Hills south of Whangarei are inching closer to completion.
Traffic on a section of the highway three quarters of the way up the north side of the hill will soon be moved from the old road to the new highway alignment. This will take place starting December 12.
“This is the final section to move from the old road to the new and marks significant progress towards finishing this important safety work on time next March,” says Brett Gliddon the NZ Transport Agency’s Northland and Auckland Highway Manager.
The $18m project involves widening the current road, straightening out tight corners and installing wire rope barriers to separate north and south bound traffic.
“Combined this will reduce the risk of crashes and minimise the impacts of crashes when they do happen by preventing vehicles crossing the centre line and driving into oncoming traffic.”
“By working to reduce the number of crashes we’re not only saving lives and helping prevent serious injuries but also reducing the number of delays on the road caused by crashes.”
Work will continue until Christmas and resume again in the New Year, when the median barrier will be installed ahead of the project’s completion in March.
Temporary speed restrictions are in place to protect workers as well as the new road surfaces which are vulnerable to damage immediately after they’re finished.
A crawler lane on the north side of the Brynderwyns is open halfway up the hill.
The Transport Agency apologises for any inconvenience caused and thanks people for their patience during the work.
For more information about the Brynderwyn Hills safety improvements visit our website.
For the latest highway information go to www.nzta.govt.nz(external link) or sign up to www.onthemove.govt.nz(external link) for up-to-date information on what is happening on the route you plan to travel; Freephone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS for national and regional travel updates.
