No further funding has been found to allow the Judds Road intersection with Ngaumutawa Road to remain open to two-way access, following KiwiRail’s announcement that work will begin shortly on the crossing.

Access to Judds Road will be limited to one lane from Ngaumutawa Road, with no access from Judds Road on to Ngaumutawa Road once the work begins later this month.

KiwiRail has indicated that a slip lane allowing a left turn onto Ngaumutawa Road would meet safety requirements, and has provided Council with high-level design for this option.

Masterton District Council would require the development of a detailed design, and to have the work fully costed before it could be considered, Group Manager, Infrastructure and Assets, Maseina Koneferenisi said.

It has no approved funding for this roading change, which would require widening of Ngaumutawa Road and changes to infrastructure.

Were it to proceed, it would likely need to be funded solely by the Council as current Government policy strongly indicates it would not be subsidised.

It would also need to be considered against other Council roading priorities, most of which would attract a subsidy.

While Council would have preferred for Judd’s Road to remain two-way, it is pleased to have a solution that avoids the need for full closure of the intersection.

Traffic currently accessing Ngaumutawa Road from Judds Road will be directed south to the intersection of Judds Road with High Street – State Highway 2.

As a state highway, this is managed by the New Zealand Transport Agency, which would be responsible for assessing access to the road, and the need for any safety modifications.

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