Whakatu arterial sealing under way and on track despite bouts of wet weather

Work is under way on the new bridge across the Karamu Stream. PHOTO/ abovehawkesbay

Five months in and the first stage of asphalting is now under way at the Whakatu Arterial Link project.

Once the first sealed stretch is completed traffic will be directed on to it while the rest of the roundabout system is constructed on the SH2 side.

Work on the $25.6 million project kicked off in January and is expected to be wrapped up around the end of 2018.

One of the project managers, Leslie van Heerden of Higgins Contractors, was happy with progress - despite recent bouts of wet weather.

"We probably lost about 25 days due to inclement weather but it is not an issue - we will make that up," he said.

"It is all well on track and the crews are doing a great job."

The new arterial route will deliver a 3km corridor stretch between Mangaterere and Pakowhai Rd, which links to the expressway, and will encompass three large roundabouts, with one at each end of the stretch and one in the Whakatu zone, as well as a bridge over the Karamu Stream at the Pakowhai Rd end.

When completed the new roadway will create a more effective route for industrial port-bound traffic and reduce heavy transport use of the Marine Parade.

As part of the overall project the Hawke's Bay Regional Council will begin working on the new Hawea Park, off Rangitane Rd, in the next few weeks, although it will not affect pedestrian access.

While sealing crews have been at work on the initial roundabout, roading crews are well advanced with preparing the route which runs across rural paddock land between SH2 and Whakatu, while work on the bridge abutments at the new crossing of the Karamu Stream is almost complete.

Bridge building contractors are expected on site this week to start on the construction of the spans.

An access route to the bridge for the workers has been put in from Pakowhai Rd and it follows the route of the new link road.

While the main highway had not been affected, apart from speed restrictions being put in place, a temporary roundabout is in place where Havelock North-bound traffic from the north is detoured on to Lawn Rd and Pilcher Rd.

Mr van Heerden said on the whole motorists had been sticking to the restrictions and using caution.

"You always get the odd one who ignores the signs, but overall they've been pretty good."

The other major roading project in the region, the SH2/Watchman Rd/Meeanee Quay roundabout is also now well under way.

A New Zealand Transport Agency spokesman said the intersection was now effectively set up as a roundabout as work progressed.

"And it appears to be working very well."

Speed restrictions and warning signs are in place across the work zone.

Restrictions are also in place near North Shore Rd and Whirinaki on SH2 north where road widening work is taking place.

Work on the Omahu Rd /Expressway roundabout lane extension is scheduled to be wrapped up this week.

Motorists travelling between Napier and Taupo on SH5 are advised to expect delays due to water blasting work and the installation of raised pavement markings at various sites between Bay View and Tarawera.

Pre-winter roading repairs are also being carried out on the stretch between Eskdale and Tarawera.