The NZ Transport Agency is advising the public that it will soon begin work to make the hillside alongside State Highway 1 at Pukerua Bay more secure.
Acting Regional Performance Manager Neil Beckett says contractors will be constructing a sheet-piled retaining wall and associated drainage works on State Highway 1 through Pukerua Bay beginning tomorrow evening. The road will be slightly narrower while the work is being done, but delays for motorists are expected to be minimal.
The work is required after last year’s storms affected the stability of the slope along a small section of highway through Pukerua Bay by Beach Road. The wall will help to hold the hillside in place, meaning it will be more resilient to bad weather and therefore less likely to cause major delays or potential hazards arising from slips.
Mr Beckett says construction of the new retaining wall and associated drainage works is due to take about four weeks, and if the weather is reasonable it should be finished about mid June.
“The work is actually off the highway but we have to give the construction team room for their equipment to do the work, so the footpath and both lanes alongside the works will be reduced in width.
“Pedestrian access will be retained and signposted, and we’re installing a concrete barrier by the footpath to ensure the safety of people travelling on foot or by bike. Road lane markings will also move so motorists are asked to take extra care through the construction site.
“We thank the public for their patience and understanding while we get this important work done.”
Construction will be undertaken during the day with crews onsite from 7:30am to 6:30pm. Both north and southbound lanes will be open at all times and the usual posted speed limit will remain through the site while the work is underway.
“This is a busy stretch of highway so crews will be working mainly during off-peak times to minimise any delays. We will also halt the works over the Queen’s Birthday holiday, and throughout the construction period we will monitor traffic flows to ensure that if there’s any significant holdups, we can act quickly to nip them in the bud.”
For more information please contact:
Anthony Frith
Media Manager – Central
NZ Transport Agency
T: 04 894 5251
M: 027 213 7617
E: anthony.frith@nzta.govt.nz
