Safety improvements for SH51 at Awatoto to get underway this month
Work to improve the safety along SH51 will now begin with the installation of flexible side and median barriers between Awatoto and Waitangi Roads from Monday 15 May, says Waka Kotahi.
The agency says that a blessing ceremony will take place this Monday (8 May) as scheduled, officially marking the start of stage one of the safety improvements project. This will be followed by site preparation work for the project.
Senior Project Manager Jacob Laird says ultimately Waka Kotahi wants to minimise any potential disruption to traffic during the safety improvements project.
“We will be monitoring peak traffic flows while the barriers are being installed, to enable planning for future phases, including the possibility of a temporary roundabout.
“This project is funded under the Road to Zero Activity Class so it is separate to funding allocated to the cyclone recovery.”
During the construction period for this first stage, which is expected to be complete by late July, there will be traffic management in place, with crews working between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday.
Because of the width of the highway, we are able to keep two lanes of traffic open and we anticipate minimal impact on traffic flow.
“This project is a really important priority for Waka Kotahi, alongside the cyclone recovery work. The work beginning this month is stage one of the project. Construction of stage two is expected to begin later this year with side and median barriers to be installed between Awatoto Rd and Ellison St.”
In 2024, a new permanent roundabout will be constructed at the SH51/Awatoto intersection.
“We want to improve safety in the area, and quickly. These safety improvements will save lives and prevent serious injuries on this section of highway. The project builds on previous work done in this area to date to make this road safer for everyone.”
Stage one of the safety improvements project will include the construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of Awatoto Road and SH51 – a corridor with a significant crash history.
In addition to the new roundabout, the 4.5 kilometre stretch of road will see the installation of flexible median barriers and side barriers. The road will also be widened in some sections to accommodate the barriers.
During the construction period for this first stage, which is expected to be complete by late July, there will be traffic management in place 24/7, with crews working between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday, to keep traffic flowing for daily commuters.
Traffic management in place will include temporary speed restrictions. At times, road closures will be needed – if this is the case, these will largely take place at night to ensure disruptions are kept to a minimum.
Cyclone recovery and cyclic maintenance crews are planning to utilise the same project road closures to further minimise disruption. Waka Kotahi will ensure that these are communicated in advance, including information on digital road-side signage.
Access for emergency services will not be compromised during this time.
Waka Kotahi senior project manager Jacob Laird says while the short, medium and long-term recovery and rebuild efforts after Cyclone Gabrielle are a top priority, our contractors do have the capacity to continue with other work.
“Reconnecting our communities both in Hawke’s Bay and in Tairāwhiti remains crucial and work on multiple sites is progressing well.
“At the same time, the safety of unaffected sections of the network needs to remain front of mind. We recognise the ongoing need to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads nationwide.
“This project will benefit the safety of thousands of people every day.”
“This project will add about 4.5 kilometres of median barrier to the nationwide tally, preventing head on collisions, saving lives and reducing serious injuries,” says Laird.
The work beginning in May is stage one of the project. Construction of stage two is expected to begin later this year with side and median barrier to be installed between Awatoto Rd and Ellison St.
In 2024, a new permanent roundabout will be constructed at the SH51/Awatoto intersection.
“We want to improve safety in the area, and quickly – that’s why we’re constructing the temporary roundabout this year while the detail and consenting phase for the permanent fixture is being finalised.”
“These safety improvements will save lives and prevent serious injuries on this section of highway. The project builds on previous work done in this area to date to make this road safer for everyone.”
