The NZ Transport Agency is closing State Highway 1 (SH1) to all southbound traffic at Central Avenue in Whangarei this Saturday (February 16) for necessary maintenance work.
The closure will start at 8am until 5pm. Traffic will be diverted down Central Avenue, and onto Maunu Road.
The NZTA’s State Highways Manager for Northland, Tommy Parker, says the closure is necessary to replace a watermain.
“As part of the Central Avenue /SH1 intersection upgrade the project team are taking advantage of the road works to replace a watermain right in the middle of the southbound lanes on the state highway,” he says.
The signposted diversion is along Central Avenue, Maunu Road, and back onto SH1. The NZTA advises drivers to allow more time for their travel to reach their destinations on time and safely.
Mr Parker says excellent progress has been made with the SH1 improvements, and the project team recently completed the relocation and installation of underground services like power and telephone lines, and the start of new footpaths. The team will begin widening SH1 early next month, with this work due to be completed in late April.
“Our contractors are ahead of schedule, and this wouldn’t have been possible without the community’s support. We want to deliver these safety improvements as soon as possible so that the people of Whangarei can enjoy the benefits early”, Mr Parker says.
The NZTA’s improvements include safer facilities for walkers and cyclists, widening the highway, and smoother traffic flows at intersections. They will help ease congestion, which will support economic growth in and around Whangarei by making it easier for people to travel.
