NZTA Waka Kotahi is “currently assessing” whether the additional remedial work to safety improvements on State Highway 2 [SH2] Remutaka Hill Rd “will incur extra cost above the original budget, with specific figures yet to be confirmed”.
On June 1, NZTA confirmed an independent safety audit of the latest safety upgrades – which included the introduction of slow vehicle bays – recommended changes to “improve traffic flow and safety”.
The independent audit followed commuter feedback that the safety improvements “are not working as intended”, said Mark Owen, NZTA regional manager for the lower North Island and top of the South Island.
Asked by the Times–Age how common it is for NZTA to have to make changes to recently installed safety features, Owen replied, “It is standard practice for NZTA to monitor the impact of any significant change made to road layouts on state highways.
“Where appropriate, we take action to ensure the desired safety outcomes are being achieved. This has been the case with the slow vehicle bays/lanes on Remutaka Hill.”
Owen confirmed that driver education material, such as social media content and newspaper and radio advertising, will be released later in June “once the safety improvement work is complete”.
“Drivers must be aware of how slow vehicle lanes work”, Owen said.
“The layout is similar to a passing lane. They include run-out hatching at the merges. These provide stronger visual cues for drivers to ‘merge like a zip’ where the two lanes merge back into one. It allows slow vehicles to keep moving and ensures traffic flows efficiently and safely at the end of the slow vehicle lanes.
“Our key advice for drivers is that anyone travelling at a slow speed that impedes the normal and reasonable flow of traffic should move into the slow vehicle lane and allow other vehicles to pass.
“The posted speed limit is not a target, and drivers should always drive at an appropriate speed for the road and weather conditions. This is particularly true when driving over the Remutaka Hill.”
Elsewhere in the region, the rehabilitation of SH2/High St through Carterton between Rhodes St and Andersons Line is heading into the second week of an estimated five-week programme.
In its latest traffic bulletin, NZTA advises the road will be open to traffic in both directions over the weekend –– with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place between Rhodes and Kent streets – with construction taking place between Sunday nights through to Friday afternoons only.
Road closures will remain in place 24/7.
“Road crews will be working on the road from Kent St to Andersons Line from this Sunday night to do further deep lift work – weather permitting.,” NZTA said.
“Once completed, the northbound lane will be levelled and resurfaced.” improvement work is complete”.
“Drivers must be aware of how slow vehicle lanes work”, Owen said.
“The layout is similar to a passing lane. They include run-out hatching at the merges. These provide stronger visual cues for drivers to ‘merge like a zip’ where the two lanes merge back into one. It allows slow vehicles to keep moving and ensures traffic flows efficiently and safely at the end of the slow vehicle lanes.
“Our key advice for drivers is that anyone travelling at a slow speed that impedes the normal and reasonable flow of traffic should move into the slow vehicle lane and allow other vehicles to pass.
“The posted speed limit is not a target, and drivers should always drive at an appropriate speed for the road and weather conditions. This is particularly true when driving over the Remutaka Hill.”
Elsewhere in the region, the rehabilitation of SH2/High St through Carterton between Rhodes St and Andersons Line is heading into the second week of an estimated five-week programme.
In its latest traffic bulletin, NZTA advises the road will be open to traffic in both directions over the weekend –– with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place between Rhodes and Kent streets – with construction taking place between Sunday nights through to Friday afternoons only.
Road closures will remain in place 24/7.
“Road crews will be working on the road from Kent St to Andersons Line from this Sunday night to do further deep lift work – weather permitting.,” NZTA said.
“Once completed, the northbound lane will be levelled and resurfaced.”
