Public open day at Maungatapu underpass

A public open day will be held at the Maungatapu underpass site. Photo/Supplied

The public will have a chance to see and hear what's been happening on the Maungatapu underpass site this weekend.

The New Zealand Transport Agency's Maungatapu underpass community day will be based at Maungatapu School on Saturdaybetween 10am and 3pm. It will be a fun day out for everyone, including activities for the kids, project information and hourly guided walks around the construction site.

The Maungatapu underpass is being constructed on State Highway 29A and includes new cycle links and a cycle and pedestrian bridge above Welcome Bay Rd.

The agency's highway manager Niclas Johansson said the underpass would separate state highway and local traffic, reducing congestion at peak times and making travel safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

"We are just over one year in to this important build so it's time to let the community get up close to what is going on and speak to members of the team to find out more about this project.

"The project is a complex one on a busy road and we are making steady progress with the first 16m road bridge open and the 36m long, 34 tonne pedestrian bridge in use," Mr Johansson says.

Between July and September 120,000 cubic metres or over 4000 truck and trailer loads of fill was left to settle on the Welcome Bay side of the site.

The second bridge was expected to be completed mid next year.

Members of the public can attend the open day any time between 10am and 3pm on Saturday .

The guided walks will take place every hour from 10am. The walk is about 2km long and will take about an hour. There will be a free shuttle back to the school.

To view the digital animation of the project and sign up for regular updates go to: www.nzta.govt.nz/hairinilink