20 April 2005

Anzac Weekend traffic warnings

Transit New Zealand and Police are urging motorists to travel with care during this Anzac Weekend and to stagger there departure times and be patient.

Traffic is expected to be fairly heavy on the coast road north out of Wellington this particular weekend.

To help improve traffic flow, Transit is closing northbound passing lanes on State Highway 1 at Lindale and Waikanae from Friday April 22 at approx midday to approx 4.00pm Saturday April 23. The timing of the removal of the closure on the Saturday may vary if traffic volumes are still high.

Transit says there is no work being carried out over Anzac weekend at either SH 2 Kaitoke Project, or SH1 Paremata to Plimmerton, but speed restrictions will remain in place.

Transit's Wellington Highway's Superintendent Reuben Pokiha says the passing lane closures allow about 100-150 additional vehicles to pass through the area each hour at these busy times. Transit's contractor Fulton Hogan will be monitoring the lane closures, to ensure they remain effective.

"Detailed investigations and past experience show that when there's a high volume of traffic and people need to merge at the end of a passing lane, they tend to push for position which slows down the flow of traffic.

"Closing the passing lanes helps increase capacity. It produces a steadier flow of single lane traffic along State Highway 1, which is critical," said Mr Pokiha. This type of closure has been put in place for a number of years now and has proven most effective in minimising accidents at the merge.

Transit New Zealand urges motorists to take special care in the heavier traffic volumes. Police inspector John Spence says everyone wants to enjoy their journeys and get to their destinations safely, so he advises motorists to be patient and take extra care.

ENDS

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