Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Ensuring the safety of State Highway 1 between Tawa and Grenada will see contractors hard at work clearing trees, installing new safety barriers, and inspecting and cleaning culverts.
The work will require nine nights of night closures for northbound traffic between 20 May and 30 May. The highway will be closed to southbound vehicles between Takapu Road and Grenada Drive between 9 pm and 4 am.
Roxanne Hilliard, Wellington Alliance Manager, says the work is vital for ensuring State Highway 1 is kept safe and protected from hazards.
“Our crews will be removing a number of trees that border the highway that are at risk of falling. Dealing with them now, ahead of winter and bad weather, protects the road and drivers from treefalls.”
Ms Hilliard estimates about 100 cubic metres of tree material will need to be removed.
She says workers will also carry out inspections and maintenance on eight culverts along the stretch of highway.
“This will involve CCTV inspections and hydro jet cleaning. Doing these checks before winter means we can catch any issues before they become a major problem,” Ms Hilliard says.
Because of the nature of the work and its proximity to the highway, she says full closures are needed.
“We do realise they are disruptive and inconvenient for drivers. But because the work sites are close to live traffic lanes, it’s simply not safe for road crews or road users to do the work with the highway open.”
“That’s why we’re doing some of the work at night when fewer vehicles are on the road. It minimises the impact on drivers and also on the detour route. We’re also making the most of the full closure to install new safety barriers near the Churton Park offramp as well,” Ms Hilliard says.
Work has already begun, with a shoulder closure in place for daytime works since 6 May. Night closures will begin on 20 May. The detour route will take longer, and drivers should factor it into their travel plans.
Works Schedule and Detour Map:
Day Works:
- Monday, 6 May to Friday 31 May. 9 am – 4 pm.
- Southbound shoulder closure. SH1, between Grenada Drive and Takapu Rd.
Night Works:
- Monday, 20 May to Thursday, 30 May. Weeknights, 9 pm – 4 am (No work on weekends).
- Full southbound closure. Local road detour via Takapu Rd, Middleton Rd, and Westchester Dr.
