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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Forecast bad weather closes SH11 past Lemon’s Hill until Tuesday
Metservice is forecasting heavy rainfall for the region on Saturday and Sunday which will make the road and slip area potentially unsafe for motorists. A geotechnical engineer will assess the slip on Monday afternoon for a possible re-opening of the road at limited times on Tuesday, says Northland System Manager Jacqui Hori-Hoult.
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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Mid-Canterbury community involved in upcoming road safety project
The NZ Transport Agency has been looking at ways to make a stretch of the highway, from just north of the Selwyn River Bridge to Racecourse Road, north of Ashburton, safer.
Between 2007 and 2016, 13 people were killed and 49 were seriously injured on this stretch of road. Many of these crashes involved drivers running off the road and hitting something like a pole or tree. There have also been head-on crashes on the highway.
Transport Agency System Manager Pete Connors says the team held a series of community events in Ashburton, Rakaia and Dunsandel in December to share their ideas and find out more from people who use the road. They also invited feedback online and by mail.
“We asked people what makes this road feel unsafe and what worries them the most,” he says.
“About 80 people came to speak to us at the events. We also received 113 feedback forms and a number of letters, emails and phone calls. Since then, we’ve continued to have constructive conversations with people in the community and commuters about making the road safer.
“People have told us the high traffic volumes made them feel unsafe and some felt nervous turning onto or off the state highway. They also feel unsafe walking and driving across the highway at Rakaia and Dunsandel, and many were worried about drivers crossing the centre line.”
Three-quarters of people who responded support the installation of flexible safety barriers or wide centre lines to reduce head-on crashes. They also like the idea of more rumble strips and wide sealed shoulders to create room to recover if drivers drift out of their lane or lose control.
Mr Connors says feedback from people who know the road well is really important.
“We use this information alongside our research to make sure that the safety improvements respond to the needs of the community using the road every day,” he says.
The project team will finalise the design of the safety improvements for this road and share them with the community later this year.
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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Milestones coming up on Waikato Expressway
The southbound lanes are almost ready to open.
Construction started in early 2017 on widening the 5.9km section of SH1 between Rangiriri and Hampton Downs to create the new highway. The south-bound lanes are being built first, and when two-way traffic switches to the new lanes it makes room for construction of the north-bound lanes.
The NZ Transport Agency says the first staged switch over 1.4km is expected to happen on Friday, weather permitting, then another bigger section comes into use next month.
“Everyone connected with the project is looking forward to this milestone,” says NZ Transport Agency Delivery Portfolio manager, Peter Simcock.
“People using the road will see the progress and it shows the Longswamp section is on track, weather and other factors permitting, for completion next year.”
Only south-bound traffic will switch to the new lanes on Friday, south of the old Hall Road intersection with SH1, around noon. After some central median barrier work, north-bound traffic will move over the following week.
A second major switch is scheduled for a 2.5km section further north in late May. Both lanes will move at the same date, from 1km north of the old Whangamarino Rd intersection to just south of the new Paddy Rd overbridge.
“People travelling through the site since work began last year have been very patient and it’s great to start seeing this sort of progress,” Mr Simcock said.
“We now have the local road extensions open at Whangamarino and Rodda Road and they will be joined up later this year when we can open the overbridge now under construction at Paddy Road.”
The entire route remains under a 70km/h speed restriction.
Meanwhile another traffic movement is looming, on the Huntly section of the expressway.
Currently north and south-bound traffic is sharing what will be the Huntly off-ramp. Later next month traffic will move over to the future on-ramp, creating room for the project team to build the bridge over the adjacent railway line.
The 15km Huntly section is due for completion in 2020.
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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: NZ Transport Agency revoking certifications for heavy vehicle towbars
Revocation notices are being sent to the owners of 802 heavy vehicles fitted with towbars certified by Peter Wastney Engineering Ltd.
The revocation action is being taken to address concerns identified through visual inspections of vehicles carried out by specialist certifiers as part of the NZ Transport Agency’s response to broader safety issues relating to Peter Wastney Engineering Ltd.
The inspections have been carried out following the issuing of a heavy vehicle safety alert by the Transport Agency on 14 February 2018 which required the operators of vehicles with affected towbars, drawbeams, or drawbars to urgently have them cleaned and inspected for signs of cracks or other failures, carry out daily inspections before use and discontinue using the vehicles if any cracks or failures were found.
The heavy vehicle safety alert was issued in response to an investigation carried out by the Transport Agency following an on-road drawbeam failure in August 2017 which resulted in a heavy trailer disconnecting from a truck and struck an embankment on SH6 near Nelson. As part of that investigation an independent engineering review was undertaken, which established that some towing connections were not adequately designed for the loads to which they had been certified by Peter Wastney Engineering Ltd. Mr Wastney’s status as an approved heavy vehicle certifier was suspended in September 2017, and he has since surrendered his certification authority.
NZTA Operational Standards Manager Craig Basher says visual inspections of tow bars carried out by specialist certifiers since the publication of the safety notice indicated that 61 of 62 towbars inspected were not fit for purpose and could potentially fail while in use on the road.
“Given these findings we are taking immediate action to revoke the certifications for all towbars certified by Peter Wastney Engineering Ltd in order to address the serious safety risks involved. These towbars will need to be removed, replaced, or inspected and re-certified by an approved independent heavy vehicle specialist engineer. The vehicles may continue to operate on the road in the interim, provided the towbars are not used.”
The majority of the affected vehicles are located in the Nelson, Marlborough, Tasman and West Coast areas. Mr Basher says the Transport Agency is aware of the significant impact this action will have on vehicle owners.
“We understand what this action means and the potential disruption it may cause, and this is not a decision we have taken lightly. Given the evidence to hand we believe it is imperative to take this action to protect the safety of road users. To lessen the impact on owners, we have issued exemptions to allow the vehicles to continue to operate on the road in the interim, provided the towing connections are not used.”
The Transport Agency is sending the revocation notices to the owners of affected vehicles today.
Mr Basher says visual inspections of 23 affected heavy vehicle drawbeams and drawbars by specialist certifiers have also raised concerns, with at least one drawbar requiring immediate repair. An urgent review of the certification documents and engineering assessments for the drawbeams and drawbars fitted to another 700 heavy trucks and trailers covered by the safety alert is now underway, in order to determine if further revocations or other actions are required. A decision is expected to be made and communicated to affected vehicle owners later this week.
More information can be found on our website at www.nzta.govt.nz/pwe-revocation
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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Auckland’s Southern Motorway reopens but expect delays
The crash at East Tamaki closed all southbound lanes causing traffic to back up as far as Mt Wellington, says Auckland Transport Operations Centre Manager Rua Pani.
Northbound lanes remained open, but rubberneckers were causing traffic to build up and queues were back to Mt Wellington.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area or delay their travel.
Alternative routes south are to use Great South Road for shorter journeys or to go by the Western Ring Route taking SH 16 through the Waterview Tunnel and SH20 to reconnect with SH1 south of the crash site.
The Transport Agency thanks motorists for their patience and understanding. Please avoid the area, take an alternative route or delay your travel.
Motorists can get real time information from
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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Serious crash closes Auckland’s Southern Motorway
The crash at East Tamaki happened at about 12:30 and police are investigating. Police are hoping to reopen the motorway soon but motorists can expect long delays and are advised to avoid the area or delay their travel, says Auckland Transport Operations Centre Manager Rua Pani.
Alternative routes south are to use Great South Road for shorter journeys or to go by the Western Ring Route taking SH 16 and SH20 to reconnect with SH1 south of the crash site.
Traffic is backing up in both directions on the motorway with southbound traffic queued back to Mt Wellington. All northbound lanes are open but rubberneckers are causing traffic to build up and queues are back to Manukau, says Ms Pani
The Transport Agency thanks motorists for their patience and understanding while police and emergency services work at the crash site. Please avoid the area, take an alternative route or delay your travel.
Motorists can get real time information from:
For Auckland and Northland
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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Auckland overnight motorway closures 22–28 April 2018
Check daily updated closure information
Please follow the signposted detours. The Transport Agency thanks you for your co-operation during these essential improvements and maintenance.
For updates on state highway conditions and hazards visit: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz
Auckland roads and public transport: www.at.govt.nz
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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Expect delays on SH2 near Te Puna this weekend
Traffic will be stopped from both directions for around five minutes at a time for vegetation control. During this time a 30km/hr limit will be in place.
There will be an optional detour for Tauranga bound cars via Te Puna Road and Te Puna Station Road.
The work has been scheduled for Saturday because traffic volumes are lower due to school holidays and less commuters using the road. The work may extend into Sunday if needed.
People can get live updates by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS or checking the website: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
They can sign up for alerts for their journey at: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz
NZ Transport Agency is also on Twitter and Facebook:
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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Work to begin on SH35 rest area upgrades
Tairāwhiti Roads general manager, Dave Hadfield, says the $700,000 project is fully Crown-funded as part of the Tairāwhiti Economic Action Plan, and will provide both safety and tourism benefits by allowing opportunities for travellers.
“These new rest areas will allow road users and tourists the chance to pull off the road and take a break while they appreciate our region’s stunning beauty and many natural attractions,” Mr Hadfield says.
“The works are either enhancements and complement existing rest areas, or involve changing the use of older sites such as a paved area for heavy vehicles.”
The rest areas will be upgraded to provide a mix of fully serviced areas, picnic areas and laybys
“The schedule of works was developed following a survey of existing sites, and takes into consideration desired travel times between rest areas as well as feedback from the community and our stakeholders,” Mr Hadfield says.
“Each site will also feature an information board showcasing the region’s ‘first light’ branding, a brief history of the area and details about tourism attractions and local amenities.”
Contract for construction has been awarded to SiteWorx Civil, and the rest areas are expected to be completed by the end of June 2018.
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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: State Highway 11 to reopen to traffic next week for limited periods
Motorists are advised the openings starting from Monday are not guaranteed every day and one way traffic in convoys will be strictly controlled. People will need to arrive early at the control points either side of the slip to ensure they get through or continue to use the detour route.
SH11 will be opened each day between 7.30-8.30am and again between 4.30-6pm. At all other times, the highway will remain closed, says the Transport Agency’s System Manager Steve Mutton.
The road has been closed to all traffic since heavy rain from ex tropical Cyclone Fehi brought down a huge slip above the road on 13 February.
The road opening will be subject to daily safety checks, weather conditions and ongoing monitoring of the slip face.
“If there is any movement or ground instability, the road will be closed immediately. This means daily access cannot be guaranteed, and the decision to open the road each day won’t be made until the last minute,” says Mr Mutton.
One lane will be open through the slip site with stop/go traffic control and a maximum speed of 30km/h. Drivers are asked to keep to the speed limit to ensure their safety on the narrow road and the safety of the traffic management crews.
Over dimension loads will not be permitted access during the controlled openings.
“Opening times are limited as all earthmoving will stop while the road is open, which means slip repair work will be slowed down. We also need to limit the partial re opening to daylight hours as our ‘spotters’ standing on the hillside need clear visibility to monitor for any slip movement.”
“The Transport Agency acknowledges the disruption and inconvenience of having the road between Paihia and Kawakawa closed since February. We’ve worked hard within necessary safety constraints to restore this connection for local residents, businesses and visitors to the Bay of Islands. We thank everyone for their understanding and patience,” says Mr Mutton.
Meanwhile work continues at pace, depending on the weather, on stabilising the hillside. Crews are working from the top down, cutting huge 5 metre benches or steps in the hillside to remove unstable material. For weeks, it had to carted off the top of the hillside, which was slow and difficult. But now it’s being pushed down the hillside and this has speeded up the work, with up to 2,000 cubic metres of loose material being removed each day.
When the road is closed, the sign posted detour is via State Highways 1, 10 and 11. With increased traffic on the detour, drivers should allow up to 30 minutes extra for the journey between Kawakawa and Paihia. We ask motorists to drive with care and to the road conditions, and to allow enough time to get to their destination safely.
For more information, visit the SH11 Lemon’s Hill slip repair project page: www.nzta.govt.nz/lemons-hill
The size of the Lemon’s Hill slip is revealed in this drone shot taken last week as excavators cut benches or steps to stabilise the hillside.
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