Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is advising motorists of upcoming daytime closures of Saddle Road, to enable crews to safely undertake essential resurfacing work.
Since State Highway 3 through the Manawatu Gorge was closed in 2017, Saddle Road has experienced increased traffic volumes, including heavy vehicles, which has impacted the road surface.
Waka Kotahi has had an ongoing programme of work to ensure that the condition and safety of Saddle Road is maintained.
“Saddle Road is narrow, steep and windy which makes it a challenging environment to work on, especially with the increased volumes of traffic,” Manawatu-Whanganui System Manager Ross I’Anson says.
“Having the road fully closed to traffic will ensure that we provide a safer working environment for our crews and better enable them to complete the work to a high standard.”
Subject to weather, the closure dates/times are:
- Monday 12 – Thursday 15 July: 9am-4pm
- Friday 16 July: 10am-4pm
- Monday 19 July – Thursday 22 July: 9am-4pm
- Friday 23 July: 10am-4pm.
“This is the final block of scheduled repairs for Saddle Road this season. We know that the closures can be disruptive and inconvenient, so we thank motorists for their patience and understanding as we work to make the road safer,” Mr I’Anson says.
Detours are via the Pahiatua Track. The Saddle Road will be open to residents, Te Ahu A Turanga project teams and for emergency access at all times.
Heavy vehicles are reminded that Balance Valley Road is not a suitable detour route and should use the marked detour route on the Pahiatua Track.
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