Summer is here and so is the annual NZ Transport Agency maintenance programme. Works will be undertaken on Waikato regional highways throughout the summer season.
The Transport Agency’s Waikato regional performance manager, Karen Boyt says with the arrival of the warmer drier weather, the conditions are optimal for a range of maintenance works to be undertaken to ensure the Waikato region’s highways are safe for driving on all year long.
“Our roads are exposed to wear and tear and so it is essential that we resurface, reseal and repair our roads, so motorists have a safe road to drive on. Warm temperatures and dry air helps the new seal stick to the existing surface more effectively. If the work was done in winter, the cold ground would mean the new surface would harden and crack and stones in the chip seal could pop out if exposed to cooler temperatures” says Ms Boyt.
“We acknowledge that road works are an inconvenience to drivers and we try to minimise the delays. As holiday traffic starts to build we shutdown work sites and project sites over the Christmas period and start back up again in early January.”
She says that there will be posted speed restrictions in place and asks drivers to stick to them. They are there to protect both drivers and the new road seal. They also help protect windscreens and vehicle surfaces, which can be damaged when people drive too fast and flick up loose chips.
The Transport Agency is spending around $58 million on Waikato state highway maintenance, operations and renewals between July 2013 to June 2014.
Ms Boyt says most maintenance and construction project works will close down for the holiday period from 20 December and restart in the new year on 6 January 2014, so drivers will be able to enjoy their holiday travelling without interruption, however the following road works and project sites will have temporary traffic management in place during the Christmas/New Year break:
Waikato Expressway:
Rangiriri section: Close down for the xmas and new year’s break. Drivers are urged to take care on the new temporary layout at Rangiriri. Speed restrictions will be in place but no delays are expected.
Cambridge section: Close down for the xmas and new year’s break. The occasional water cart may be seen on site over the break in efforts to ensure any dust is kept to a minimum.
SH39a/Limmer Road/Te Kowhai Road: Construction work will continue over summer and some delays can be expected. Heavy vehicle drivers and operators are being urged to consider the full stretch of SH39 to and from Ngaruawahia, or SH1, or the easterly option of SH1B rather than travelling through this works area.
Other sites:
Waitomo: Temporary speed restrictions and traffic management will remain in place at the intersection of SH3/37.
Southern Coromandel SH25/25A/26: From mid-January watch for improvement works tied to the Southern Coromandel Motorcycle Safety Demonstration Project, including some roadside driveway sealing and helicopter pad construction.
Whangamata: A temporary 70km/h speed restriction during the summer at the southern approach to Whangamata along the 1.7km stretch of SH25 from just south Widdison Place to nearly Hilton Drive.
Resurfacing and other maintenance activity taking place in the new year:
SH1 Cobham Drive Hamilton Gardens
SH1 Ohinewai, Rangiriri, Hampton Downs and Meremere
SH1 Horotiu, Huntly, Taupiri
SH1 north and south of Cambridge
SH1B Marychurch and Hautapu
SH1C Te Rapa Dairy Factory
SH3 Ohaupo Road Hamilton City
SH3 Narrows Road
SH3 South Awakino Gorge: Bexley Station
Mahoenui North Passing Lane: Mahoenui Slip
SH3 North Ohaupo: Ohaupo School
SH4 Waterfall Hill: Mapara Road North Kopaki: Digby Farm
SH30 Bennydale: Wehi Lands
SH23 Massey Street
SH23 Te Uku
SH26 Motomaoho and Morrinsville
SH29 Kerr to Watson Road
SH27 at Patetonga
SH25A at Kopu/Hikuai
SH25/SH25A/SH26 at Kopu/Hikuai/ Whangamata/Waihi
SH25 at Tairua Hill.
