Roundabout construction on SH1/3 progressing well

The construction of the new roundabout on State Highway 1/3, outside RNZAF Base Ohakea, is ahead of schedule and the paving phase is nearing completion.

Since February, daytime traffic has been using the new roundabout alignment, which has been temporarily down to one lane with a 30km/h speed limit in place amid ongoing construction. This work has been taking place under a night-time road closure and detour.

In the coming weeks, crews aim to finish the night-time tie-in works as well as the roundabout's final paving and line marking works.

Crews have begun constructing the shared user path along the western side of the state highway between Pukenui Road and Tangimoana Road. Crews are also installing a short 700-metre section of flexible median barrier to the north of the new roundabout, which will help protect people using the path and help prevent head-on crashes.

The overall project is on track to be completed by August 2024.

Caption: These drone images, supplied by the NZDF, show the roundabout outside RNZAF Base Ohakea taking shape between July 2023 and March 2024.

Current temporary traffic management in place on SH1/3

Over the past four weeks, crews have been carrying out tie-in works under a night-time road closure to align the new roundabout structure into the existing state highway network.

The section of SH1/3 outside Base Ohakea is closed at night between 7.30pm and 6am Sunday nights – Friday mornings, with a short detour in place (map below).

Outside of these hours, the state highway and new roundabout is open for all motorists each day, and on Friday and Saturday nights. The new roundabout is currently operating as a single-lane roundabout with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place while the tie-in works are completed at night. Once fully complete, the new roundabout will be line-marked to have two lanes in both directions as planned, including turning lanes in and out of Pukenui Road.

The temporary roads that were built in 2023 to skirt traffic around the main construction site were disestablished after the new roundabout opened. Much of the material from these roads has been recycled for the shared user path and for the Ohakea Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre (CVSC) project next door.

Why a night-time closure?

The tie-in works involved excavation at both ends of state highway leading up to the new roundabout, and building up the strength in the layers of underlying pavement.

At the same time as these crucial tie-in works, stormwater drainage, new kerbs, median island construction, streetlight installation and median barrier installation works have also taken place. The night-time closure of this section of state highway was the safest option for both crews and motorists. It has allowed crews to complete a range of works at the same time and complete them much faster than other methods. If we carried out this work under Stop/Go during the day instead for example, it would have taken months to complete and caused long delay times and congestion for traffic on SH1/3.

We appreciate the community's patience and understanding while this detour has been in place.

Caption: Crews are carrying out earthworks for the shared user path on the western side of the state highway, and have begun installing a short section of flexible median barrier to the north of the new roundabout.

Upcoming construction: Shared user path, lighting and flexible median barrier

If you've driven on SH1/3 recently, you'll be starting to see a range of safety improvements taking shape alongside the roundabout.

Crews have begun the earthworks for the shared user path that is being built on the western side of the state highway, between Pukenui Road and Tangimoana Road. Safe crossing points around the roundabout are also being built. This pedestrian and cyclist path will improve safety and connectivity between Bulls and Base Ohakea.

Roadside safety barrier will be installed between the path and the northbound lane of the state highway, and crews have begun installing a short section of flexible median barrier (about 700m) from the north of the new roundabout to the intersection of Wightman Road. The number of pedestrians and cyclists travelling on the side of the state highway is expected to increase following the construction of the path. These barriers will help protect people using the path, and help prevent head-on crashes on this section of road.

We’ve increased the amount of lighting in the area, and are also planning to upgrade the intersection of the state highway and Wightman Road by creating a designated right-hand turning bay for traffic.

These safety improvements on the Bulls to Sanson corridor will make this stretch of road safer for everyone who uses it.

Caption: These photos show the progress being made on the shared user path and new crossing points around the new roundabout. This design aims to help cyclists get off the state highway and cross the road safely.

Caption: Earthworks are underway on the Ohakea CVSC site, which is next to the new roundabout off Pukenui Road.

Ohakea CVSC construction well underway

Next door to the new roundabout, construction on the Ohakea Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre (CVSC) project is well underway. This new building, on Pukenui Road, will eventually replace the old NZ Police weigh station on SH1/3.

Site set-up and earthworks began in December 2023 and construction will continue throughout 2024. Much of the construction for this project occurs off the state highway. The installation of the in-road scales, automatic licence plate recognition cameras and digital signage boards will take place on SH1/3.

Asphalting works have already taken place on the northbound lane of SH1/3 where the in-road scales are set to be installed. This installation work is planned for the coming weeks after the asphalt has cured. Traffic management information will be provided closer to the time. Crews made the most of the night-time road closure and completed this work at the same time as the roundabout work. The asphalting works for the southbound lane (north of the Bulls Bridge) has been delayed slightly, and is expected to take place in the coming months. 

The Ohakea CVSC is part of the national Commercial Vehicle Safety Programme (CVSP) which is developing an integrated network of cameras, weigh-in-motion scales and safety centres covering strategic routes across the country. These facilities aim to improve road safety, ensure a level playing field for the industry and encourage compliant vehicle productivity.

Find out more about this project on our Ohakea CVSC project page.

Caption: The map shows the location of the northbound and southbound in-road scales, automatic licence plate recognition cameras and digital signage boards that will be installed on SH1/3 as part of the Ohakea CVSC project.

More information

To find out more about the project, visit our website nzta.govt.nz/bulls2sanson

The project team can also be contacted at bullstosanson@nzta.govt.nz