Monthly Archives: February 2022

Extensive maintenance work for Gisborne roads starting March

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State Highway 35 Gladstone Road Bridge is a major component of the works and will include asphalting and resurfacing of the bridge deck and replacement of the deck joints. Structural repairs are currently underway on the underside of the bridge.

Other works to be completed on SH35 include resurfacing from Childers Road to Harris Street and the Grey Street/SH35 roundabout.

On Council’s local road network, the resurfacing work will take place predominantly at Gisborne City roundabouts. This includes Gladstone and Stanley Roads, Gladstone and Lytton Roads, Ormond Road and Wi Pere Street, Lytton and Childers Roads and Palmerston Road and Derby Street. 

All road works will be undertaken overnight Monday to Friday, between 7pm and 5am, when the roads are less busy.

Waka Kotahi Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations Jaclyn Hankin says this means less disruption for road users and residents, and helps crews to get the work done faster and in a safer environment.

“Gladstone Road Bridge is a critical transport connection that links the Gisborne community. Maintenance repairs above and below the bridge are required, and utility providers will be given an opportunity to inspect their assets connected to the bridge while scaffolding is in place,” Ms Hankin says.

Council’s Director Community Lifelines David Wilson says both Waka Kotahi and Council were able to gain efficiencies by combining their work programmes.

“It allows Downer NZ to run the combined programme as one project, which simplifies traffic management, health and safety and stakeholder communications. Downer NZ will try to keep disruptions to residents to a minimum but these will be active worksites and some noise will be inevitable.”

Council will also take advantage of the road diversions to construct additional safety works. These include a roundabout at the Peel Street/Palmerston Road intersection and a crossing point to connect Alfred Cox Skate Park across Grey Street.

Road closures and detours will be in place for the night works, which will be communicated closer to work starting to enable motorists to plan ahead.

During the day, traffic will be able to travel through the sites under temporary speed restrictions. People are advised to follow the direction of traffic management teams and observe temporary traffic management signs. Road users should expect delays for the duration of these works.

Waka Kotahi and Council thank road users and residents for their patience while both roading authorities undertake this essential roading maintenance over the coming months.

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Serious crash – Northwestern Motorway

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District:

Waitematā

Emergency services are currently at the scene of a serious crash on the Northwestern Motorway involving multiple vehicles.

The crash is on the westbound lanes near Rosebank Road.

One person is reported to have critical injuries.

All westbound traffic on the Northwestern Motorway is currently being diverted off at Rosebank Road.

Motorists are asked to expect significant delays and avoid the area.

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified.

ENDS

Nick Baker/NZ Police

Serious crash, SH29 Kaimai Ranges

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District:

Waikato

Emergency services are responding to a crash involving two trucks, one of which was carrying logs, on the Waikato side of the Kaimai Ranges, State Highway 29.

It appears one truck has clipped the other while trying to overtake, resulting in some logs being dislodged onto the road.

There are delays for traffic in both directions, as there is stop/go traffic management in place allowing traffic in only one direction at a time to pass the crash site. 

Police are advising motorists to avoid the area as there are likely to be delays for at least a couple of hours.

No injuries have resulted from the crash.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Bridge Restrictions in place for SH35 Raukokere River Bridge

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The inspection identified a significant internal defect within the bridge structure, which requires repair in the immediate future. 

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has confirmed the design solution and the repair is currently being programmed with the contractor.

The bridge is safe for light vehicles, although, until the bridge repair is completed, all heavy vehicles are restricted to 80% of Class 1 loads when driving over the bridge, with the maximum speed limit of 10km/h remaining in place.

50MAX and overweight vehicles are not permitted to use the bridge under any circumstances.

It is expected that these restrictions will be in place for a minimum of six weeks, pending confirmation of the bridge repairs and resources required. Waka Kotahi will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

Heavy vehicles affected by the restrictions are asked to detour via State Highway 2 and State Highway 35 via Gisborne.

Waka Kotahi acknowledges that this heavy vehicle restriction will have a significant impact on freight operations and apologises for the inconvenience. 

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SH4 Auraki Stream Road Retreat works continue

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The work will be carried out during the day over four days, from Tuesday 1 March to Friday 4 March.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations, Jaclyn Hankin, says SH4 between Whanganui and Raetihi will be closed between 6am and 6pm each day during this period to enable the works to be carried out safely.

“The detour for light vehicles will be down Field’s Track Road, with access through the Whanganui River Road closure point to detour down Field’s Track Road. The detour for heavy vehicles will be via State Highway 49 and State Highway 1.”

“Emergency services will be allowed through the closure, and we are working with local schools to ensure vehicles with children going to school in the area will be allowed through at designated times.”

The detours for this closure are significant and motorists are asked to plan ahead, avoid unnecessary travel or travel outside the closure times. The detour for light vehicles is expected to add approximately one hour to journeys, with the detour for heavy vehicles expected to add approximately two hours and twenty minutes.

“We have already removed most of the trees under short duration Stop/Stop traffic control to minimise the closure duration. Many of the trees that remain are expected to fall on the road once felled. Closing the road will ensure the safety of the teams involved as well as road users.”

Ms Hankin says the work is another milestone for the repair work on SH4 Parapara Road after a major flood event in June 2015. 

“The current road is being affected by a slip at the Mangawhero River, so we are relocating the road away from where it has failed. This will mean a return to two lanes on this stretch of highway with no temporary traffic management or priority give way road layout.”

“The large culvert where the Auraki Stream currently goes under the highway is being extended to facilitate the new road alignment.”

Horizons Regional Council has approved consent for the main physical works, and a blessing was held for the site late last year with Ngāti Rangi, Te Korowai o te Awaiti, and Uenuku. New project boards were revealed, including Te Korowai O Te Awaiti Tohu.

SH4 Whanganui to Raetihi repairs project page 

Waka Kotahi thanks everyone for their patience while these important works to improve the safety and resilience of SH4 are underway.

Project partners at the SH4 Auraki Stream Road Retreat project board reveal and blessing.

The tree felling site for the 1-4 March daytime road closures.

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Have your say on SH3 safety between Palmerston North and Ashhurst

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Engagement on range of proposed safety improvements, which include traffic signals, improved walking and cycling facilities and an investigation into lowering speed limits opened today (Wednesday 23 February) and closes 11 March 2022.

Director Regional Relationships Linda Stewart says Waka Kotahi wants everyone who uses this road to get where they are going safely.

“Waka Kotahi is committed to Vision Zero, a vision for New Zealand where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads.

“The feedback we get through this engagement period will help inform the intersection design and proposed walking and cycling facilities. Once detailed designs are completed, Waka Kotahi will seek funding for construction and begin the consent application process.”

The safety improvements are part of the Road to Zero strategy developed in partnership with NZ Police, Ministry of Transport, local government and WorkSafe that adopts Vision Zero and sets a target to reduce deaths and serious injuries on New Zealand’s roads, streets, cycleways and footpaths by 40 percent over the next 10 years.

Road to Zero strategy

Alongside the plans for traffic signals and improved walking and cycling facilities, which will have a positive impact on safety, we also need to talk about the speed we are driving. 

“Even when speed isn’t the direct cause of a crash, it is a factor in the severity of every crash. It is most often what determines whether a person is killed, seriously injured, or unharmed. A small reduction in speed makes a big difference in how survivable a crash is.”

Over the past ten years, three people were killed and another 15 were seriously injured in crashes on this section of road.

“Lowering speeds doesn’t mean we can’t make other changes, but it is something we can do now that will have an immediate impact on reducing the risk of deaths and serious injuries on the road,” Ms Stewart says.

“We want to hear what the people who use this road think about the current speed limit, and that will help inform a proposal for safe and appropriate speed for this road that we expect to seek formal submissions on later this year.”

You can find out more and share your views by:

  • visiting our project page
  • emailing us: email hidden; JavaScript is required
  • speaking to the team at our community drop-in session: Monday 7 March 4:00pm–7:00pm at the Kelvin Grove Community Hall.

Maps showing current speed limits along SH3 Napier Road and proposed infrastructure improvements between Keith Street and Roberts Line

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Deaths and serious injuries on the road are not inevitable

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That’s the message behind a new campaign launched today aimed at building public awareness and demand for the changes needed to drive deaths and serious injuries down on the road towards zero.

“New Zealand’s Road to Zero strategy is based on the belief that no-one deserves to die or be seriously injured on our roads, even when they make mistakes. The strategy adopts a long-term vision of no deaths or serious injuries on our roads by 2050, and Government has set a specific interim target for 2030 as part of the strategy – to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 40 percent compared to 2018 levels. Reaching that target is possible with the right measures to make every part of the transport system safer – roads, vehicles, speeds and road users,” says Waka Kotahi Chief Executive Nicole Rosie.

Road to Zero

“Under Road to Zero we’re making roads and roadsides safer, using evidence-based tools to identify the best solutions in high-risk areas. That includes new roundabouts, median barriers, side barriers, widened centrelines and rumble strips. We’re working hard to get more New Zealanders into vehicles with high safety ratings, because these vehicles can help drivers avoid crashes and protect people when crashes do happen. 

“Safer speeds also have a huge role to play. When speeds are safe for the road, simple mistakes are less likely to end in tragedy, which is why Waka Kotahi and local authorities are identifying roads across the country where safer speed limits can make a significant and immediate difference in saving lives. And as individuals we all have a responsibility to follow the road rules, wear our seatbelts and avoid driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol, or when distracted by our mobile phones,” Ms Rosie says.

NZ Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says Police is fully committed to supporting Road to Zero.

“The public can be confident we are ready with targeted and effective enforcement to play our part in delivering road safety targets for 2030 and beyond. This means doing all we can to prevent the pain, suffering and grief our officers see every day caused by preventable road crashes.

“People should expect to see us anytime, anywhere working to keep people safe on our roads. It’s what they deserve. Our road policing activities focus on the high-risk behaviours of ensuring drivers and their passengers are buckling up, not impaired by drugs and alcohol nor distracted, and enforcing speed limits.

“All of Police is committed to delivering the vision of zero deaths and working towards it with a clear plan and a hard target for 2030. We are progressing a range of initiatives to improve our performance and find new ways to deliver better outcomes through technology, equipment and tactics.

“Together, we can save hundreds of lives and prevent thousands of injuries. Everyone has a part to play working towards a New Zealand where no-one is killed or seriously injured on our roads.”

Road to Zero includes a significant programme of work planned for 2022 to keep Kiwis safer on the roads, including:

  • the ongoing roll-out of a large programme of road maintenance and safety improvements to roads all over the country
  • improved vehicle safety standards, a strengthened road safety partnership between Waka Kotahi and NZ Police
  • reviews of speed limits and the confirmation of a new speed limit setting rule with a focus on safe speeds around schools
  • developing and delivering a sustainable operating model for the rollout of new safety cameras, integrated  with safer speed limits and targeting high risk areas of the system
  • the commencement of a Ministerial Oversight Group to co-ordinate Government action in support of Road to Zero
  • the final stage of the Accessible Streets regulatory package to improve pedestrian safety
  • a review of fines and penalties
  • the finalisation of drug-driving legislation.

 

 

Road to Zero explainer video 

 

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SH1, Main Road, Waikouaiti – resealing work about to begin

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Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and its Coastal Otago highway maintenance team the Highway Highlanders has two to three weeks’ work to do on SH1 through Waikouaiti, between Kildare and Henry Street intersections.

SH1 will be resurfaced from Monday 28 February to around 14 March, 8am to 5pm each weekday. In the event of wet weather, this work could go into a third week to 21 March.

People need to plan for traffic management and Stop/Go work with traffic lights on Main Road, between Kildare Street and Henry Street. The speed will be reduced to 30km/ hour while this work is underway.

The side roads – Kildare, Dame, Geelong, Beach and Thomas Streets – will be closed at the highway when this work is underway. Drivers can access these streets via Mount Street and Collins Street.

People need to build in extra time and follow the temporary speed limits for everyone’s safety. Waka Kotahi thanks everyone for being patient around road crews, other road users and pedestrians.

The work is weather dependent and may be postponed or extended at short notice.

Roadworks updates 

Map of SH1 between Henry and Kildare Streets.

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Sunday night full closure Te Hoiere/Pelorus River Bridge, SH6, Marlborough

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There will be no openings to let traffic across.

SH6 at the single lane Pelorus Bridge will be closed Sunday night, 27 February, through to Monday morning, 28 February, for asphalt resurfacing – from 8pm to 5am. 

The narrowness of the bridge and the need to reseal the full surface is the reason for the full night closure.

In an emergency, ambulance and fire services will be accommodated. Waka Kotahi thanks all drivers who will be inconvenienced by this work. 

Electronic mobile signs will advertise the bridge closures at each end ie near Blenheim at the Roadhouse entry and in Seddon as well as fixed signs in other places.

Take the Wairau Valley route on Sunday night

The alternative route between Blenheim/Picton and Nelson is via the Wairau Valley/St Arnaud, SH63, then SH6 from Kawatiri Junction, which can add up to half an hour to the journey.

An aerial view of the Pelorus Bridge on SH6, near the DOC camp and shop near Te Hoiere/Pelorus River.

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