The NZ Transport Agency is making encouraging progress with its upgrade of the Otaihanga Intersection, just north of Paraparaumu on SH1, with traffic switching onto a fully operating one lane roundabout tonight.
Wellington highways manager Rod James says the intersection of SH1 and Otaihanga Road has a high crash history and the roundabout will help to prevent further crashes by reducing the risk and severity of collisions at this busy junction.
When completed, in April this year the Otaihanga Intersection Improvements will operate as a two-lane roundabout, and is part of a much wider programme of improvements being implemented along State Highway 1 that will help to reduce the number of fatal and serious crashes along this stretch of highway, including the construction of the Kapiti Expressway and Transmission Gully.
Mr James says it’s a great milestone for this intersection upgrade to reach this stage ahead of schedule, and means we are well on track to complete the work early.
“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the construction team this effectively brings forward some of the safety benefits and will also reduce inconvenience for motorists while the work is being completed.”
Mr James urges care and patience as the changes bed in.
“There may be some delays as people get used to the new road layout and we urge drivers to take care in this area and leave extra time up their sleeves. Reduced speed limits will remain in place until we open the full roundabout later in the year”, explains Mr James.
Traffic will be switched onto the new lanes overnight from 8pm tonight and temporary traffic signals will be operating during this time so leave extra time for your journey. The traffic switch will be completed by 5am Tuesday 28 January and the ‘T’ intersection currently in operation permanently closed.
If work is delayed due to wet weather, it will take place on the next fine night.
This temporary one lane roundabout will be in place until the full two lanes are opened. The Otaihanga roundabout will be similar to the existing roundabout on SH1 at Plimmerton, north of Wellington, although this roundabout will be slightly larger at roughly 70m wide with a 48m wide central island.
Construction on this project started in July 2013 and is expected to be completed by April 2014.
