Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Roadworks and traffic plans have been revised, and it is confirmed that State Highway 1 Transmission Gully will be closed to southbound traffic this weekend.
The southbound closure will be in place from 10 am, Friday 28 November, until 4:30 am, Monday 1 December, weather permitting. There will also be a northbound lane closure on the motorway, which is expected to cause delays for northbound traffic.
Southbound traffic will need to detour via State Highway 59 while the closure is in place.
Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island/Top of the South, says people need to prepare for long queues and travel delays, and should try to avoid the peak congestion times expected on Sunday afternoon.
“Travel will be affected by these works, and also by Kāpiti Line bus replacements, as well as various events happening on the Kāpiti Coast.”
“These are major works on a key part of our state highway network. An impact on traffic is unavoidable, and it is essential that drivers are prepared for it,” Mr Owen says.
He says it is critical that people drive to the conditions and respect other road users.
“Merge like a zip and let other vehicles in at points where the motorway is reduced to a single lane, as this really helps the flow of traffic.”
We have identified problems, such as pinch points on the SH59 detour route, and we have taken steps to address them.”
“We will have extra staff on duty to manage traffic, and we will close off the SH59 Link Road, which we saw added to congestion for traffic trying to use the detour route,” Mr Owen says.
He acknowledges this is a busy time of the year but says it is the best time to get the repairs done.
“This must be done during the warmer summer weather. It cannot be done during winter, as the repairs would not work. We also want to get the drainage work completed so the motorway can be open to traffic during the busier Christmas/New Year holiday period.”
Mr Owen also warns there are other factors this weekend that will affect traffic that people must consider if they are travelling between Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast.
“There are Metlink bus replacements all day on Saturday and Sunday, and a number of events in Wellington city, and out of town.
“Think carefully about your travel plans this weekend. If possible, avoid travelling between Kāpiti and Wellington. At the very least, try to avoid busy periods like late afternoon and early evening on Saturday and Sunday,” Mr Owen says.
Contractors will be carrying out drainage works this weekend. The width of the southbound lanes will be excavated, meaning traffic cannot pass through these sites. It takes 24 hours for concrete to cure at the drainage sites. Traffic management must remain in place to protect the concrete, which is why drivers may see areas under traffic management but with no contractors on site.
Travel improvements and driver advice
There were a number of pinch points where congestion was particularly bad on the SH59 detour route, and improvements have been made to reduce the impact on drivers:
- SH59 Link Road (the road between Mackays Crossing Interchange and Paekākāriki Interchange) will be closed during the closure. It means drivers will not have to give way to traffic coming from Link Road.
- There will be more traffic controllers situated on the network to be able to respond to any incidents or issues on the network.
- Traffic lights will be optimised to help reduce traffic congestion.
- People should avoid travelling during busier times if possible. The busiest periods are expected to be between 4 pm and 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Delays of up to one hour are possible on Sunday afternoon. Drivers should travel earlier or later to avoid this if they can.
- We have ensured there will be no roadworks on SH59. This will make travel on the detour more efficient.
Upcoming work
Work at the first site to undergo pavement reconstruction will run from Monday 1 December through until mid-December.
Drainage works during the day will continue during the week. All works between Monday morning and Friday morning are under lane closures in both directions, so drivers can expect to see congestion at busy times in both the northbound and southbound directions on Transmission Gully.
Pavement reconstruction works are planned for southbound lanes just north of the SH58 interchange. This is a site where drainage works have recently been completed and, once the pavement reconstruction is complete this will mean this section of the road is complete.
For the northbound lanes, contractors will be working at just before SH58 interchange to complete the drainage works on the northbound side of the road.
Drivers can expect to see lane closures operating for the motorways northbound and southbound lanes 24/7 until mid-February – except between 15 December – 5 January, when the motorway will be fully open for holiday traffic.
