The speed limit on State Highway 1 will be reduced to 80km/h between Toetoe Rd and Maungakaramea Rd south of Whangarei from April 30.
NZ Transport Agency project delivery manager Karen Boyt says the temporary speed limit will remain in place during the construction of the SH1 Loop Road Safety Improvements project, which is set for completion in 2021.
“Safety of our people and customers is a priority and reducing the speed limit to 80km/h approaching the project area makes it safer for drivers to transition in and out of the 50km/h construction zone,” Boyt says.
“We are also installing centre safe hit posts as well as temporary steel roadside barriers to provide safe work areas for the construction crew.”
The section of SH1 between Loop Rd/SH15 and Portland Rd has a temporary speed limit of 50km/h, which will also remain for the duration of construction.
The barrier and safe hit post installation will take place each night from 6.30pm until 6.30am from April 29 to May 3, weather dependent.
During the nightworks, SH1 traffic will be down to one lane with stop/go traffic control and a 30km/h speed limit through the work site.
The SH1 Loop Road Safety Improvements project includes construction of a single lane roundabout and intersection improvements at the SH1/Portland Rd intersection.
Funded through the National Land Transport Fund, the $27 million safety project commenced construction in March and is expected to take 24 months to complete.
