Transit NZ Dunedin Regional Office

SH1 Tumai Waikouaiti realignment officially opens today

Transit New Zealand celebrates today the official opening of Tumai Waikouaiti realignment on State Highway 1.

"We are really pleased with this new road that puts an end to the old stretch of state highway, known as a black route with a history of crashes, most notably at the old Tumai rail overbridge," Transit's Dunedin Regional Manager Mike O'Cain says.

Minister of Transport Hon Annette King opened the realignment with planting a tree at the northern entrance to Waikouaiti township. She was joined by Transit Acting Chair Bryan Jackson, Dunedin City Mayor Peter Chin, local iwi representative Mat Ellison as well as many others who have been involved or have had an interest in the project.

Annette King says the most important aspect of the project has been making the stretch of road safer to drive on.

"The reduction of death and injury on our roads requires a collaborative effort in terms of engineering improvements, education, enforcement, vehicle safety enhancements, and central and regional government and public commitment. I am really pleased to see so many elements of the equation coming together in this project."

The $7 million project, built by Transit on behalf of the Government, is one of the largest projects carried out recently in the Otago and Southland regions.

The realignment, which is 3.4km long, bypasses a set of tight curves and the very narrow Tumai rail overbridge, and includes a northbound passing lane.

Mike O'Cain says that the realignment's sealed shoulders are also wider, making it safer for cyclists as well as motorists.

"The overall safety improvement work done on the new realignment makes State Highway 1 safer for local people and for those travelling through the area."

Between 4,500 and 5,000 vehicles travel every day on this busy stretch of road between Dunedin and Oamaru.

ENDS

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