8 March 2013

Athenree gorge road safety project underway

Work to improve safety along State Highway 2 (SH2) at Athenree will soon get underway with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) awarding the $5.1 million contract to realign the road to Downer Construction.

The NZTA’s Bay of Plenty state highways manager, Brett Gliddon says the work involves realigning the bends of the road near the Athenree Gorge which has a high accident crash rate.

“Work will get underway shortly, but will be off the state highway. Work will initially focus on moving existing drainage and telecommunication services along a disused railway track that sits adjacent to the road.”

Mr Gliddon says the work will be carried out in phases. Phase one will be undertaken from March to May 2013. Phase two of the project will start after winter and will tie the newly built road into the existing highway. These works are expected to be completed in May 2014.

He says this project will improve safety, by straightening the bends of the road, this will reduce the risk of vehicles incorrectly taking bends and crashing, which is the common cause of accidents around this area. The work is part of the agency’s Safer Journeys strategy.

"Improving the safety of roads and roadsides is a key element of the Government's Safer Journeys strategy and an important part of the NZTA's effort to create a safe transport system for all New Zealanders."

ENDS

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