Drivers' patience vital after lane closure

Regional performance manager Mark Owen said an exceptionally cold and wet winter had taken its toll on a section of SH2 between Carterton and Greytown. FILE PHOTO

NZTA has advised it will be temporarily closing the left-hand lane of the southbound passing lane between Carterton and Greytown, as of today.

Regional performance manager Mark Owen said an exceptionally cold and wet winter had taken its toll on this section of road and the agency had decided to temporarily close the passing lane for safety reasons.

"We've done a number of patch repairs over the past few weeks but with the forecast bad weather over the coming days, we are concerned about the condition of the road surface, which is why we've decided to close the left-hand lane with cones."

Engineers and road maintenance crews will continue to monitor the road surface and do temporary repairs as needed.

This section of SH2 was scheduled to be rebuilt as part of the 2015/16 summer maintenance and repair programme but could not be done until the weather improves, as new road surfaces require warm, dry temperatures to properly cure, Mr Owen said.

"We're going to be strengthening and re-shaping the upper layers of the road and [will] lay a new seal.

"This will strengthen the road and restore the waterproofing that keeps water out of the lower layers. Unfortunately, we can't do this work until October because the air temperatures are too cold for the road surface to 'set'.

"The warmer months are the best time to repair and reseal our roads. Warm temperatures and dry air help the new seal stick to the road surface. Cold winter ground would make the new surface harden and crack and we'd just have to do it all over again."

It is crucial drivers remain patient if they find themselves behind a slow moving vehicle, Mr Owen said.

"While we recognise that it's frustrating to have a passing lane out of action, it's critical that motorists don't attempt to complete a risky overtaking manoeuvre.

"It's far better to wait for a safe passing opportunity than to put your own life, or somebody else's, in danger."