Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
NZTA/Waka Kotahi is making State Highway 6 Whakatu Drive in Nelson safer with new safety barriers below the Songer Street and Nayland Road overbridges.
Rob Service, System Manager Top of the South, says installing safety barriers along Whakatu Drive at these overbridges will help protect road users and the bridge structures in the event of a crash.
“Not only does it make the road safer for drivers, but better protection for the overbridges also reduces the chances of them being damaged – something that has the potential to cause huge disruption on the roading network. The more we can do to protect against this, the better it is for everyone,” Mr Service says.
He says installing the new concrete barriers along Whakatu Drive is a complex process.
“It has to be carried out in three stages. The first involves laying the foundations for the new barriers before their installation. Contractors will then install guardrails in front of the new barriers.”
“We must ensure the safety of our roading crews and road users during this work. This means speed limits will be reduced on Whakatu Drive between the two overbridges,” Mr Service says.
There will be closures of one of the southbound lanes through the work site to protect road users from the open excavation where road crews work.
Mr Service says this work will cause delays and drivers must factor this work into their travel.
“We are doing everything we can to minimise disruption to traffic by doing as much work as possible at night when fewer people are on the road. However, this is an arterial route, and the work will affect road users.”
From 17 to 27 March, when the barriers are installed, there will be night closures on State Highway 6 Whakatu Drive between the Annesbrook Roundabout and Link Road/Raeward Roundabout.
“Please be aware of the work and adjust your travel accordingly, as the detours will mean longer travel times,” Mr Service says.
A local road detour via Main Road Stoke will be available for all road users. The barriers need to be lifted into place with a crane; doing this at night minimises disruption during the day.
“We are aware Nelson City Council will undertake work on Main Road Stoke from Monday 4 to Friday 8 March and we are working closely with them to mitigate congestion during this time,” Mr Service says.
Mr Service acknowledges this is the third time State Highway 6 Whakatu Drive has been closed for work this season.
“We would have liked to have completed the safety barrier installation during one of the previous closures. However, we have only just had the funding for this work approved.”
“I certainly understand that more road works will be frustrating for people. But please, do bear with us; a safer highway is a better highway, and that’s a win for everyone.” Mr Service says.
Work Programme:
|
Stage |
Impact on SH6 Whakatu Drive |
Work being carried out |
|
STAGE 1 Sunday, 18 February to Sunday, 17 March |
OPEN BOTH DIRECTIONS
|
|
|
STAGE 2 Sunday, 17 March to Wednesday, 27 March |
NIGHT CLOSURES
Traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place. |
|
|
STAGE 3 Wednesday, 27 March to Tuesday 16 April |
OPEN BOTH DIRECTIONS
|
|
Please note that traffic management and a reduced temporary speed limit will remain in place over the Easter weekend – Friday, 29 March to Monday, 1 April.
Detour route during night closures:
- People travelling to Nelson Airport or businesses on Quarantine Road will detour via Parkers Road and Pascoe Street.
- Access from Nelson Airport to the city will be via Quarantine Road, but temporary speed restrictions and traffic management will be in place.
- The shared path next to the highway will remain open for cyclists and pedestrians in both directions.
- The local road detour via Main Road Stoke has temporarily been approved by Nelson City Council for use by heavy vehicles.
- This detour is expected to add up to 10 minutes to travel times.
