Bad weather conditions and a shortage in asphalt supply is delaying the opening date of Wellingtons $55m smart motorway.
New Zealand Transport Agency highway manager Neil Walker told The Dominion Post the end of May was the agency’s target for completion, but “as we indicated in April, this was dependent on good weather conditions.”
“Work has been delayed due to rain in late May and early June. There were also delays in the supply of asphalt,” says Walker.
He says the work that remained for completion was final road surfacing, which required settled weather.
“We expect the smart motorway to be open and operational by the end of June, but this does continue to depend on the weather.”
According to The Dominion Post, NZTA spokeswoman Felicity Connell says the upgrade included a new type of asphalt, called “epoxy-modified open-graded porous asphalt” or EMOGPA, which reduced road noise and water spray, and was expected to last up to 30 years.
“EMOGPA requires a specialist provider and the provider experienced a plant breakdown, causing a delay in supply. The plant failure is now rectified,” says Connell.
The new asphalt is expected to last up to five times longer than standard asphalt, she says.
