Some work on major roadworks on the Brynderwyns will be suspended over Easter and Anzac weekends to prevent delays for holiday traffic, the NZ Transport Agency says.
NZTA is asking motorists to take extra care when travelling on State Highway One over the Brynderwyn Hill during the next five weeks as work continues to cart earth to a fill site as part of the safety upgrade project.
The state roading agency is carrying out $16 million of safety improvement on the northern side of the Brynderwyns, with the road being widened and a median wire rope barrier installed to separate north and southbound traffic.
From Monday this week up to 10 trucks an hour have begun moving earth from the quarry at the top of the hill down the highway to one of the project fill sites on the opposite side of the State Highway, NZTA's Auckland and Northland Highway Manager Brett Gliddon said.
"The trucks will cross the State Highway at a controlled point managed by staff to ensure the safety of all road users. Traffic on the State Highway will continue to have priority."
The trucks will run during the operational hours of 7am to 7pm, seven days a week. However, there will be no truck movements over the Easter or Anzac holiday weekends.
"These truck movements are in addition to the current work already under way at the site."
The project is expected to be completed by November 2016.
"The project is a large-scale one and there will be some disruption for drivers while we deliver these improvements. Some of the passing lanes will be shortened or closed, and people will need to drive with care and be patient," Mr Gliddon said.
The work will be done in stages and no night work is planned.