NZTA/Waka Kotahi is outlining plans for ongoing drainage and resurfacing work for State Highway Transmission Gully/Te Aranui o Te Rangihaeata this summer.
Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island/Top of the South, says no further 24/7 weekend full road closures are planned for the highway this month.
“All southbound and northbound lanes will be open by Friday, 19 December. This will allow holiday traffic to travel unimpeded.”
More work is planned for the motorway early in the new year after the holiday break.
Mr Owen says this will include night-time road closures for both northbound and southbound traffic, but no full weekend 24/7 closures like there were in November.
“We will have a wide range of work underway in January. The focus for northbound lanes will be drainage works and pavement reconstruction. Chipseal will also be laid on the motorway, starting with southbound lanes.”
“Traffic volumes are typically much lower in early January, so we’re doing our best to get this work done as soon as we can,” Mr Owen says.
This work will coincide with Metlink bus replacement services between Porirua and Waikanae. They will be using State Highway 59 from Monday, 5 January, to Sunday,12 January.
Mr Owen says resurfacing work is planned for January/early February, depending upon the weather.
“As we signalled previously, around 18 kilometres of chip-sealing needs to be completed this summer. It will waterproof the road surface before winter.”
“We expect to be doing this from 5 January until mid-February, weather permitting. The southbound lanes will take approximately three weeks, followed by northbound lanes,” Mr Owen says.
This is a process where bitumen is sprayed onto the existing road surface, with chip laid on top and rolled into the road surface.
Road users must take extra care and follow temporary speed limits to ensure they do not damage the new road or their vehicles.
The speed limit in areas where the motorway is being resurfaced will be lowered to 30 km/h for several days, following the new surface application, to allow the chips to bed into the road surface.
Mr Owen says drivers must be ready for potential travel delays.
“During night-time directional closures, drivers will have to detour via SH59 and be prepared for lower speeds during the day. Drivers are also able to use SH59 day or night, and this route will be free of any planned roadworks.”
“However, traffic will be affected, and people must plan ahead for this,” Mr Owen says.
The work is weather-dependent, and schedules may change. If that occurs, updates will be provided.
Friday 19 December to Sunday 4 January
Monday 5 January, 9pm – 4.30am
Tuesday 6 January to Sunday 11 January. Sunday to Thursday. 9pm – 4:30am
There will be:
