Construction in progress on SH2

Project Update College Road to Silverstream

We are now nine months into the College Road to Silverstream realignment project, straightening the road by easing the curves through this 1.7m section. The project will also incorporate a southbound passing lane, wider shoulders, median and side barriers, and a right turn bay into College Road.

The project is being built in stages to minimise disruption. A significant part of the work is right next to the existing highway, which means we have reduced the speeds on this section of road until the project is complete. We monitor this through a real-time speed monitoring programme, to make changes if there are unreasonable wait times for people driving through the site. 

Since the site opened for construction, the work has focused on environmental controls, vegetation removal, earthworks, drainage, and culvert developments.

Pukehou students learn about building a road

Pukehou students’ imagination sparked with site visit

In autumn this year, 85 students from Pukehou School visited the College Road to Silverstream realignment site.

Chris Birch, Principal of Pukehou School says, “Pukehou School were incredibly grateful to the Russell Roads crew for opening up the worksite for our staff and students to understand better the major road realignment that is taking place next to our school.

“Our students were fascinated to see the scale of the project, learn about the process, machinery, and career opportunities that civil construction and engineering offers. Our students were particularly fascinated to get up close to the machinery and to see it in operation. The visit sparked our students' imaginations with a lot of their own roading projects being built in the sandpit when they got back to school, as well as investigating possible career directions for their future.”

We took the students through the site in a few small groups on a bus tour, and they were able to get out of the bus in a coned safe zone where they learned about a grader. They viewed one of the largest excavators in action from the safety of the bus and learned about why culverts are so important in this project. The final stop looked at the amount of earth that needs excavating and where it goes.

  
While the students went around the site, they could look at an interactive map that included an aerial map. Talking about building the realignment helped students understand the bigger picture of a safe road. It was also an excellent opportunity to showcase the range of careers in civil construction.

“The students were eager to get on board the bus and had lots of questions that my team and I were happy to answer. This was an excellent chance to connect with the local students in a hands-on and engaging way,” says Josh Paku, contract manager, Russell Roads.

Derek McDermott, Project Manager for Waka Kotahi says, “This was a great collaboration with Waka Kotahi, Russell Roads, and the community to involve the students in the project and learn about the Civil Construction industry.”

CHB's scooter mob are looking forward to the opening of the Shared Path

Project Update Waipukurau to Waipawa Shared Path

Work is well underway on the Waipukurau to Waipawa Shared Path, a joint project between Waka Kotahi and Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, with the path expected to be opened by the end of the year.

All the earthworks along the Tapairu Road section are complete and the first section of the footpath built. Work on Tapairu Road is also complete. The next part of construction will be on State Highway 2 is underway and will take approximately three months.

The shared path will make it much safer for cycling, walking and getting around on mobility scooters between Waipukurau and Waipawa. The 4.5km path begins on Tapairu Road, joins State Highway 2, then moves to Ford Road, with people directed back to SH2 just north of Waipukurau. The works will also utilise existing sections of the path previously constructed along SH2.

Waka Kotahi recently met with members of our local Central Hawke’s Bay Scooter Mob who are looking forward to using the shared path, as it will be convenient and safer.  If you or someone you know would like to join the Scooter Mob and go on outings in Central Hawke’s Bay contact Gloria on 06-858-8995 or Graham on 06-858-8145.

More information

For more information on the SH2 College Road to Silverstream Station realignment project, contact us at CollegeRoad@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/sh2-college-road-to-silverstream-station