Weka Pass road work crews back on-site from Monday, April 15

The Waiho River Bridge washout took roadwork crews over to the West Coast recently, but they will be back on-site on the Weka Creek Bridge near Waipara from Monday, April 15.

The Downer contractors are removing the old concrete parapets on the Weka Creek Bridge and replacing them with new safety barriers.

Stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h speed restriction will be in place over the next few weeks while the work is underway.

A second crew will be working just up the road, widening the shoulder past Frog Rock. The road will be down to one lane and traffic management, including a traffic light, will be in place.

Contractors will closely monitor traffic to minimise delays, however people should allow an extra 10 minutes to get through Weka Pass on their way to Hanmer, the West Coast or Picton.

Easter Weekend and Anzac Day

Crews will be off the road from 12pm on Thursday, April 18 until 12pm Tuesday, April 23 for the Easter holiday period.  And again between 12pm on Wednesday, April 24 and 12pm Friday April 26 due to Anzac Day.

A bit of background

This project is part of the Safe Network Programme - a programme of proven safety improvements on high risk routes across New Zealand.

Contractors are installing safety barriers to help stop people dying or being seriously injured in a crash, and rumble strips to give drivers a wake-up call if they stray across the centre-line.

New signs to warn drivers of risks such as sharp corners and narrow bridges are being installed, along with road markings that are easier to see at night and in the wet.

Many of the crashes on this stretch of road are caused by drivers losing control and driving off the side of the road. The changes being made will make this road safer and help reduce these types of crashes occurring in the future.

The project is on track to be completed in mid-2019.

More information

For more information on the SH7 Waipara to Waikari project, please contact Community Engagement Manager Janet Luxton at janet.luxton@saferoads.co.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/w2w