Work on the completion of Wellington’s smart motorway moves south this week as the first stage of construction near the Ngauranga Interchange finishes.
The next section of replacing the central median barrier runs from the rail overbridge to the Aotea on-ramp. The road shoulder will be removed, and the lanes will be narrowed and moved towards the edge of the road to make space for the work site.
The NZ Transport Agency’s Wellington highway manager, Neil Walker, says the first phase of construction work has finished.
Walker says the temporary concrete median barriers will relocate to the next section of road, and the road lanes at the merge/diverge of State Highways 1 and 2 will reinstate to their original layout.
The speed limit near Ngaraunga Interchange returns to 80km/h.
Replacing the central median barrier is on target to be completed by March 2016.
Also getting underway soon are the improvements to the State Highway 2 off-ramp at Ngauranga. Vehicle stacking space will be increased by widening the road and lengthening the middle lane.
This work will help the off-ramp flow more smoothly. The first part of the upgrade includes diverting the walking and cycling path in the area for approximately six weeks while replacing drainage pipes .
The installation of 195 LED lights, which emit a more natural white glow, compared to the yellow sodium lights that are currently in place will take place over a couple of months.
“We’re replacing the sodium lights between Aotea and Ngauranga with more environmentally friendly LEDs. These will give off a whiter light than what we currently have, and this will feel more natural to drivers.” says Walker.
Another set of three overnight motorway closures between Thorndon and Ngauranga happen in November (dates unconfirmed).
During the closures, four new cross-motorway gantries will be installed, a redundant one will be removed and a new (northbound) electronic message sign will be added to the existing gantry near Hobson Street.
All this work brings Wellington’s smart motorway closer to completion.
