HPMV vehicles can now compliantly travel the route on State Highway 35 between Eastland Port and Tauwhareparae Forest, and extending that north is now under consideration.
The second tranche of HPMV routes for the multi-axle vehicles that can carry heavier loads is being assessed for pavement suitability and economic viability
NZ Transport Agency state highways manager Chuck Dowdell told the Gisborne Herald that he is reasonably confident that the HPMV routes will be extended north to Te Araroa as part of the next tranche.
The agency’s report to the regional transport committee says good progress was being made with 50 Max vehicles in the central region and State Highway 2 between Gisborne and Opotiki was now fully enabled for them.
(There are two limits for HPMV vehicles — upper-bound trucks that have a limit of 62 tonnes which have been enabled to Tauwhareparae this year and to Mangatu two years ago; and lower- bound vehicles now called 50 max that allow 50 tonnes. The agency and the District Council have been strengthening bridges to permit them.)
Regional NZTA manager Lyndon Hammond says the HPMV vehicles can be identified by a yellow phosphorous marking on the rear.
The committee was also advised that a business case was being prepared to decide where the final $12 million of non-allocated regional funds will be spent.
The subject is likely to come before the committee at its next meeting in November.
The issue of a speed reduction from 70kmh to 50kmh at Te Puia is also likely to come before the committee at its next meeting.
Investigations have shown a reduction is not warranted. However, there would seem to be some argument in favour of the lower limit because the site is an urban area, the alignment is geometrically poor and because land movement the pavement leaves a lot to be desired.
According to the Gisborne Herald, pedestrians face a relatively unsafe environment because of the lack of facilities over much of the length of the township.
NZTA is following up on consultation to determine what support there is for a change and anticipates having this advice at the next meeting.
