Construction is well underway on the new facility for Napier. Photo / NZME
Construction is well underway on the new facility for Napier. Photo / NZME
A new truck testing centre under construction in Napier - that will be operated by police to carry out compliance checks - could open by the end of this year.
Construction is well underway on the new facility near the Hawke’s Bay Expressway and Prebensen Drive roundabout.
It will beofficially known as a commercial vehicle safety centre (CVSC).
New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Waka Kotahi is delivering the project and working with contractor Fulton Hogan.
“There’s plenty of exciting activity to be seen on site with the earthworks currently underway getting the site ready for the transportation of the new building to site in a few months’ time," he said.
“The project is on track for earthworks to be completed in May with construction activities to begin soon after."
The truck testing centre in Napier. Photo / NZTA
Weigh-in scales and cameras will be dotted on key roads near the centre, to flag trucks. Photo / NZTA
Five CVSCs have been completed across the country, and another eight are in the pipeline or under construction, such as in Napier.
“CVSCs are operated by NZ Police and they play a pivotal role in promoting road safety and ensuring regulatory compliance across the transport network,” an NZTA statement read, about the project.
Sets of in-road scales and automatic number plate recognition cameras will be installed at four locations on the approach to the centre.
That includes on the expressway at Westshore and Greenmeadows, SH50 on the Ahuriri truck bypass, and SH51 Georges Drive at Marewa.
If a heavy vehicle is “flagged”, digital signage will instruct the driver to pull into the centre by showing the vehicle’s licence plate number.
Layout for the new Napier centre. Photo / NZTA
Not doing so can incur a $1000 fine.
Once at the CVSC, the heavy vehicle will drive over a weigh bridge and undergo compliance checks, such as checking road user charges or logbooks, weight limits, or completing a vehicle safety inspection.
Light vehicles (like cars) will not be directed into a CVSC.
“The expressway is a high-volume freight route, carrying trucks and other heavy vehicles between Napier and Hastings,” an NZTA statement about the project read.
