Mayor irked passing lanes off upgrade of highways

Mackenzie mayor Graham Smith is pleased upgrade work is about to begin on the district’s state highways, but he would like to have seen passing lanes included.

‘‘We’re going to have a little function to recognise what NZTA are doing but I asked for passing lanes and that is not being implemented.’’

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will start a $5 million upgrade programme in February on State Highway 8, SH79 and SH80.

The work would include road widening and passing locations, intersection improvements, tourism information, better signage, new rest areas at scenic locations and upgrading existing rest areas.

‘‘We would like passing lanes on the flat and especially on the top side of Tekapo,’’ Smith said.

He believed the expectation of many motorists now, with numerous passing lanes on SH1, was to be looking for passing lanes, even in areas such as the Mackenzie Basin.

The upgrade work was long overdue in his opinion.

Smith said a strong influx of domestic visitors to the district

‘‘We would like passing lanes on the flat and especially on the top side of Tekapo.’’ Graham Smith

Mackenzie mayor

over the holiday period had been welcomed and accommodation providers were happy at this stage.

A concern was what would happen once schools returned and the holiday season ended. Trends elsewhere were not promising.

‘‘Auckland accommodation occupancy rates have been dropping which is a concern.’’