Source: Radio New Zealand
Transmission Gully will be closed over the weekend. (File photo) RNZ / Charlie Dreaver
The transport network between Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast will be under some pressure this weekend with State Highway 1 Transmission Gully closed to southbound traffic, and Metlink trains being replaced by buses.
NZTA would close the southbound side of Transmission Gully after it postponed its closure last week while it revised its roadworks and traffic plan.
The revision came after an earlier closure on Transmission Gully caused significant congestion and delays.
NZTA said the southbound closure would be in place from 10am on Friday until 4.30am on Monday, weather permitting.
Southbound traffic would need to detour via State Highway 59 while the closure was in place.
It said there would also be a northbound lane closure on the motorway, which was expected to cause delays for northbound traffic.
Transmission Gully. (File photo) RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Mark Owen, regional manager for lower North Island/top of the South, said people needed to prepare for long queues and travel delays, and should try to avoid the peak congestion times expected on Sunday afternoon.
“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.”
He said NZTA had identified problems, such as pinch points on the SH59 detour route, and 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,” he said.
But he said now was the best time for them to do the roadworks.
“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.”
Metlink senior manager of operations, Paul Tawharu said buses replacing Metlink train services on the Kāpiti Line this weekend were due to KiwiRail making “vital improvements” to the rail network.
He said as NZTA was also carrying out maintenance on Transmission Gully this weekend, buses replacing trains during this maintenance would be detoured with all other traffic.
“We strongly encourage Metlink passengers to plan ahead and expect delays this weekend. They can keep up to date with service changes on the Metlink website or app.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
