Poles moved for proposed Pakowhai roundabout

Orchard land is cleared in preparation for a new roundabout at intersection of SH50, Links Road. Photo Warren Buckland.

The first stages of a planned new roundabout system at the Links Rd and Pakowhai Rd intersection with SH50A are under way and motorists can expect occasional delays.

As part of the roundabout design, roadside power poles in the immediate area are having to be relocated and Unison crews have been at work doing that for the past fortnight.

While the work was confined to roadside berms, there would be stop-go signals in place at certain times, as well as temporary speed restrictions.

The roadside shoulders had also been closed off.

New Zealand Transport Agency journey manager for Hawke's Bay Oliver Postings said general clearance around the proposed roundabout site was also under way, as well as drainage work.

The intersection was identified as "high risk" along with the SH2/Watchman Rd section, as well as SH2/Napier Rd, and is part of a three-year $60 million safety improvement programme which got under way in 2015.

The intersections had been listed as "priority" works with $13.4 million being allocated for them.

A NZTA spokesperson said they were being designed with the aim of reducing the risk and severity of crashes.

"It is forecast that the improvements could potentially prevent up to three deaths or serious injuries in the region per year."

Across New Zealand around $3.2 billion is expected to be invested in the transport network over the next three years to improve safety.

A proportion of the investment targets specific safety improvements including high risk intersections, pedestrian and cycling safety initiatives, speed management and education programmes.

Roadside power pole work is also under way on SH50 between Maraekakaho Rd and Kereru Rd with Unison crews replacing a section of them.

Some slight delays can be expected at times.

Delays are also likely on SH5 between Tarawera and Eskdale where slip removal work is continuing to remove debris from roadside berms and water tables.

There was still "quite a quantity" of slip removal work taking place on SH38 through to Waikaremoana with speed restrictions in place as well as stop/go signalling.

Travel delays up to five minutes can be expected.