Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Much weaker than anticipated ground conditions at the road work site near Queenstown’s Kawarau River bridge means a week’s more work, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).
Instead of ending on 21 February, the night work will run through to Friday morning, 28 February, says Peter Standring, Maintenance Contract Manager for NZTA in Central Otago.
“We know this work, which is happening overnight to avoid most daytime traffic, is unwelcome to local residents given the noise generated and vibrations from machinery removing the old road layers,” says Mr Standring. “But it is essential we get the asphalting right. As a result, we need to excavate deeper than anticipated to get a lasting road surface.”
The NZTA crews are using a stronger pavement mixture for this section of SH6 to extend its life as much as possible, but they still need a solid sub-surface underneath it, he says. The site is managed with Stop/Go traffic management overnight, creating short delays.
Work started on 9 February, 8 pm to 6 am, and will now run for the extra third week to the end of February, Sunday nights to Thursday nights.
“Crews will continue to do whatever they can to fit in the noisiest activity in the early part of the night,” says Mr Standring. “We thank everyone for being patient while we get this highway reconstruction done to a high standard to last for many years.”
The highway is down to 30km/hour daytimes while the night work is underway.