7 June 2005

Lighting upgrade at Mount Victoria Tunnel

Transit New Zealand is replacing the existing highway lighting on State Highway 1 between the Mount Victoria Tunnel and Evans Bay Parade to provide a higher standard of illumination for motorists and pedestrians.

The works are due to start on Thursday 9 June 2005 and will continue until early August along Taurima Street, Ruahine Street and Wellington Road. The northbound and southbound lanes will be closed at times to allow a safety zone between the contractors and motorists. These closures will be removed during peak traffic hours.

Transit project manager Mark Pinner says the existing lighting no longer complies with the present design criteria and we are keen to install a higher standard of lighting to provide added safety benefits and is also be easier to maintain.

"Along Taurima Street and Ruahine Street the existing columns will be replaced with improved lamps, erected upon frangible columns that are designed to collapse safely in the event of a collision. On Wellington Road, new lamps will be replace those on the existing power poles to improve the light focused on the highway," he said.

"There will be minimal disruption to traffic flow although there will be temporary speed restrictions while construction is taking place," he said.

"We are asking motorists to obey speed restrictions for their own safety and that of others, " Mr Pinner said.

Transit has appointed Power Construction and Lighting to undertake the work.

ENDS

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