Caution urged as major work undertaken on road repairs

Flood damage on the Whanganui River Road.

Drivers are urged to take care on blind corners throughout the Whanganui District as crews continue to repair roads damaged in June's heavy rain.

There have been a few occasions where vehicles have hit road work equipment, after travelling too fast around blind corners. Whanganui District Council is asking people to obey road signs and maintain a safe, slow speed.

There are a total of 18 heavy machinery crews out clearing slips and reforming roadside drainage. They are on the Whanganui River Rd, Papaiti Rd, Kauarapaoa Rd, Junction Rd, Owhakura Rd, Rangitatau East Rd, Siceley Rd, Watershed Rd and Mangakowhai Rd.

Papaiti Rd, about 13km from the town boundary, will be closed for repairs to a slip for about three weeks. Starting today it will be closed from 9am to 4pm, except on Sundays.

Kauarapaoa Rd still has a slippery surface, and two-wheel-drive vehicles must take care. Burrell Rd is open to trucks, but closed to trucks with trailers.

There is still work to do on the Whanganui River Rd. The sections from Matahiwi to Ranana and Koriniti to Matahiwi are expected to be finished in mid-February. The Ranana to Jerusalem section should be finished by the end of March.

From Jerusalem to the Ruapehu District boundary the work is expected to take until the end of May, and the SH4 to Atene section should be finished by the end of June.