More work was completed on Remutaka Hill during a five night closure last week. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
KAREN COLTMAN
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Another 455 metres of roadside railing, designed to stop motorcyclists from skidding under it and down the steep banks, went up on the Remutaka Hill road during last week’s night-time road works.
The installation of new “motorcycle proof” rail brought the total length of it to 893m.
New Zealand Transport Agency regional transport systems manager Mark Owen said there was previously just wire and battens along parts of the bank drop, which was “pretty useless”.
Low to the ground, solid rail designed to stop motorbikes from skidding under it should the rider crash was now in place.
The work was scheduled for the beginning of Level 4 but was delayed so the crews could organise how to work with fewer in the team to ensure adequate social distancing.
Bad weather also delayed the work.
The night closure ran from 9pm Sunday, May 3 to 4am Friday, May 8.
To keep the teams safe and healthy, Fulton Hogan and WSP [formerly Opus] had fewer crew members than usual on the job.
But with about 50 team members working through the night, the work was completed.
“We had rock face stabilising done ready for winter,” Owen said.
“The team put in mesh along 20m of new retaining wall and 675 reflectors were attached to guard railings along the road.
“We’ve had new drainage put in and clearing out of debris in slippage areas.”
The next night works are scheduled for a Sunday in both July and September this year.
