Unsealed road upgrades under way
Upgrades to numerous unsealed Northland roads are well under way with a substantial amount of work to be completed by the end of June, says the Northland Transportation Alliance.
Over the next few months, dozens of projects around the region will be undertaken with more than 40 key roads prioritised for upgrades for the benefit of residents in the Far North, Kaipara and Whangārei districts.
Northland Transportation Alliance general manager Calvin Thomas says with nearly 60 per cent of Northland roads being unsealed, upgrades will be spread over many years.
‘‘Our teams have prioritised those roads most in need of maintenance and a lot of work is under way with crews all around Northland right now, which is pleasing,’’ Thomas says.
Many high-volume tourist routes and roads renowned for dust over summer are being targeted and the alliance is asking that motorists be mindful of the safety of roadside workers.
Because of the increasingly dry conditions it is unlikely that much grader activity will be undertaken.
‘‘There has been a lot of research undertaken the past couple of years around the best ways to maintain and upgrade unsealed roads and it is clear that the use of graders and spreading metal for the sake of it – the saltand-pepper approach – is not the answer to better roads.
‘‘We need to keep getting the base structure and shape of our roads right to make them better in the short and long term. Application of a final gravel layer that has improved cohesive, binding properties is the finishing touch to create more durable, wellbound unsealed roads that require less grading.
‘‘The reality is we can only get to 6 to 8 per cent of our unsealed roads annually but by maintaining and upgrading them properly with renewing road surfaces, drainage and culvert work, they will last well for seven to 10 years. Over time, we will get to all roads in Northland,’’ Thomas says.
In the Far North, 36 kilometres of unsealed roads will be improved, including the application of dust suppressant outside up to 160 rural homes, schools and marae.
In Kaipara, 45km of unsealed roads are being worked on, while in the Whangārei district, up to 25km of unsealed roads are also being improved.
The full list of (planned) Far North District Council unsealed roading projects under way before the end of June include Iwitaua Rd, Horahora Rd, McIntyres Rd, Motukiore Rd, Orakau Rd, Otaua Rd, Puketotara Rd, Te Tio Rd. Seal extensions totalling around 3km are also planned on Brass Rd and Parapara-Toatoa Rd.
The Kaipara District Council unsealed roading projects planned to be under way before the end of June include Paparoa
Station Rd, Porter Rd, Pukehuia Rd, Mahuta Rd, Te Maire Rd, Waimatenui Rd. In addition, a 9.8km seal extension is in progress on Pouto Rd.
The full list of (planned) Whangārei District Council unsealed roading projects under way before the end of June include:
Ahuroa Rd, Bartlett Rd, Camellia Rd, Connell Rd, Finlayson Brook Rd, Jackson Rd, Lake Ora Rd, McAdam Rd, Carroll Rd, Price Rd, Sloane Rd, Station Rd, Waipu Gorge Rd, Whittle Rd, Rockell Rd ( Limerock) – Whananaki, Wharf Rd (Whangārei Heads), Riponui Rd, Otonga – Marua Rd, Otaikarangi Rd, Puketitoi Rd, Main Rd, Mine Rd. A seal extension is also planned for Glenmohr Rd and Sandford Rd.
The Northland Transportation Alliance was formed in 2016 and is a partnership between local government and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to deliver joined up services for Council owned roading, and transportation related activities, in Northland.
The alliance is a collaboration between the Kaipara District Council, Whangārei District Council, Far North District Council, and Northland Regional Council, with the support of Waka Kotahi. The Alliance has combined staff, services and resources for council-owned roading and transportation in Northland to improve consistency and services for all Northland road users.