Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
The busy intersection of State Highway 5 and State Highway 28-Harwoods Road east of Tīrau will be made safer with work starting next month on a roundabout.
The T-intersection has a poor safety record which NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says can be improved with a 3-leg roundabout.
Work will start on 18 August with traffic expected to be flowing on the roundabout by March 2026. Schick Construction has been awarded the physical works contract and will monitor and manage traffic through the site during the construction period.
Some closures of SH28-Harwoods Road at the works site may be needed later in the build, with dates and detours to be advised when confirmed.
In the past 10 years there has been one death and 17 serious injury crashes at the SH5 Harwoods Road intersection.
“This roundabout is one of several safety improvements planned for the stretch of SH5 between Tīrau and Tārukenga Marae Road,” says Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery, Darryl Coalter.
A right-turn bay was built at Waimakariri Road earlier this year, while funding has been allocated to complete design for a roundabout at SH5/SH28-Whites Road.
NZTA is also undertaking general widening works between Whites and Harwoods roads to allow for wide centrelines. The first section between Whites and Waimakariri roads will be done this spring.
The maintenance programme this spring/early summer will see a rebuild of 400m of Whites Road from south of the SH5 intersection. The intersection itself will receive a new asphalt surface.
No changes are proposed for the road through Tūkorehe Reserve/Fitzgerald Glade.
SH5 Tīrau to Tārukenga safety improvements project page
