Roadworks have started up again on SH2 between Masterton and Carterton to repair sections of the central median barrier that have been damaged by cars colliding with it in separate incidents.
Debris from the vehicles still lies scattered on the side of the road.
The plastic poles that support the central median barrier had been disconnected from the metal cabling and were hanging horizontally, sparking safety concerns from a member of the public who contacted the Times-Age.
Waka Kotahi confirmed it is aware of the damage and began working to fix the median barrier last night.
Repairs will continue tonight and on Thursday between 8pm and 6am – with contractors starting to set up traffic management from 7pm.
The works are scheduled for nighttime to avoid disruption to travellers, and a detour will be in place for drivers heading south.
The diversions for southbound traffic will be in place from Cornwall Rd to Hughes Line – just north of Carterton.
People travelling in the opposite direction are advised to be aware of any changes in traffic layout.
The median barriers – sometimes referred to as “cheese graters” – were installed as part of the upgrades to SH2 that took place over the past year.
I’m not surprised damage has occurred to the median barrier between Masterton and Clareville. I think it will be a regular occurrence. In daylight I drove to Carterton last Sunday evening and home again to Masterton after 9.30pm when it was very dark. First, the surface of the road in both directions is appalling and, second, the lanes are too narrow to the point where it was necessary to lower one’s speed from the required maximums in order to navigate smooth passage. This more often than not involved a closer proximity to the median barrier. This applied to the return journey too. The worst thing about driving home in the dark was the blinding glare of the large diameter lights of a giant servicing machine straddling the dividing line of both lanes. It was like a white-out causing an inability to see past or either side of it.
Presumably this machine was repairing the damaged median barrier? Also, the glare from the lights of oncoming traffic, particularly those with halogen bulbs, were also an impediment to driving safely and away from the median barrier. I actually found the return journey quite horrid. In my opinion both the south and northbound lanes need to be widened and the road surface repaired properly in order to facilitate smooth, safe passage. The red indicator reflectors on the outside edges of the lanes add little benefit when, in darkness, it is impossible to judge the width of the lane and one’s proximity to the median barrier, and especially with glare from oncoming vehicles. It won’t happen, of course, but some regularly spaced street lighting along this stretch of road would help driver vision enormously. I don’t know who designed these changes to SH2, but the nicest thing I can say is that he/she/they need to design one more roading plan and pack up.