SH1 work set to generate delays

The NZ Transport Agency advises motorists using State Highway 1 at Plimmerton that the roadworks season is swinging into gear as crews swoop in to make roads safer while the weather is warm and dry.

Agency Wellington operations manager Mark Owen says drivers are likely to encounter roadworks over the next few months and should leave time up their sleeve for potential delays.

Road crews are digging up a onekilometre stretch of SH1 past the weigh station and laying down a new road.

A chip seal surface will then be laid over the top of the new road.

This work, which will improve the road surface, will take much of December, weather permitting.

A second phase of work is planned in February, when crews will improve the road surface around the roundabout and resurface it with asphalt.

Mr Owen says the roundabout, near the garden centre, is under constant stress because cars turn and brake on the surface all day.

A deep layer of asphalt will be laid to make the road surface more durable and provide a more skidresistant surface, which will reduce the risk of skid-related crashes.

‘‘We’ll be carrying the work out overnight because this reduces disruption, but there will be speed restrictions during the day as we need to keep speeds down to allow the new road surface to cure.’’

Mr Owen says the highway will stay open at night but will be restricted to one lane.

The road will be fully open to commuter traffic during peak hours but outside commuter times there will be lane closures.