Piarere to Taupō safety works well under way
Contractors are busy on the first stage of safety improvements along SH1-Piarere to Taupō.
Three high-risk sections of highway between Tokoroa and Taupō have been prioritised by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, and work started in May on the first section to receive flexible median safety barriers and roadside barriers.
This is a 4.5km stretch of SH1 north of Maroa Road to Tram Road, where work is expected to be completed early in 2023.
The next stage in line will be 6.9km from Ātiamuri Bridge to Thorpe Road, followed by 5km stretch from the top of Tar Hill/Maungaiti Hill, south toward SH30.
Waka Kotahi is finalising designs on the next two sections, but the timing of their construction is subject to funding being confirmed.
These upgrades will mean the road is more forgiving if someone makes a mistake, with crashes less likely to result in death or serious injury.
Within the sections planned for improvements, right-turn opportunities will be provided at intersections with local roads.
“We know there are different access needs for properties, and we are mindful to plan for residents, local businesses, trucking, and agricultural vehicle movements,” says Waka Kotahi project manager Yana Averianova.
“Where we propose roadside barriers, we generally widen the road and leave gaps in the barriers at intersections and other locations where it is safe to do so.
“This also provides places to pull over if there is a breakdown or emergency. The gaps in the median barriers, where needed, provide places to turn where it makes the most sense and where it is safe.’’
The current works will run through to early next year, and after some recent night works and stop-go, will be completed with a 50km/h speed restriction through the work site and some stop-go traffic management in November.
Further safety improvements are planned for the 93km stretch of SH1 from Piarere to Taupō during the next 10 years. The sections will be reviewed and delivery of further safety improvements will be considered as part of the national Road to Zero programme.
Keep in touch
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this project further, please contact us at waikato.projects@nzta.govt.nz
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