Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Road resurfacing and rebuilds are already underway as the state highway summer maintenance season gets underway in the Wellington region.
The Wellington Transport Alliance will be resurfacing 35.6 kilometres of highway with asphalt and rebuilding another 5.2 kilometres. In addition, 13.9 kilometres of chipseal resurfacing will be carried out across the region.
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Wellington/Hutt Valley
Roxanne Hilliard, Wellington Transport Alliance Manager, says drivers can expect to see significant improvements on State Highway 2 in the Hutt Valley in the lead-up to Christmas.
‘We have an extensive resurfacing programme planned from Lower Hutt to Upper Hutt. Work crews will be at multiple sites from Petone all the way north to Totara Park.”
“Drivers can expect night closures and local road detours through the Hutt Valley while this work is underway,” Ms Hilliard says.
She says drivers can also expect to see more work on the urban motorway, Johnsonville to Tawa, and also between the Wellington CBD and Rongotai.
Kāpiti Coast
Ms Hilliard says work has already begun on State Highway 1 in Kuku.
“We have road rebuild works underway at Kuku. This will be followed by road rebuild at Ohau, beginning later this month.”
“We also have resurfacing work planned for Paekākāriki, Mackays Crossing, Raumati and Plimmerton,” Ms Hilliard says.
Wairarapa
Ms Hilliard says, like last year, more road rebuilds are planned for State Highway 2, Wairarapa, around April and May of next year. More details on these will be shared when their timing is confirmed.
Travel advice
Ms Hilliard appreciates the summer state highway maintenance programme is disruptive work.
“Digging up and rebuilding a highway is impactful and extensive work. Resurfacing also creates delays for the public.”
“However, the benefits are long-term. Making a major investment now reduces the need for future maintenance and ongoing regular repairs,” Ms Hilliard says.
Ms Hilliard says with all the work planned; drivers must be ready for road works, and the travel delays they can cause.
“Plan ahead and allow extra time for your journey. It is important to respect road workers and speed limits in place at road works sites.”
Why summer maintenance?
Ms Hilliard says spring, summer, and early autumn are the times when most roadworks have to happen.
“To be effective and durable, road resurfacing must be done during the warmer, drier months. Wet and cold conditions are not suitable for completing permanent and durable road repairs.”
