MEDIA RELEASE
TRANSIT NEW ZEALAND WANGANUI REGIONAL OFFICE
11 January 2007
Transit to start construction on major project in Paraparas
Transit New Zealand will begin work this summer on the SH4 Okura Realignment, which, once completed, will improve safety
while providing relief from delays and road closures for travellers in the Paraparas.
The $9 million project, located at Okura on SH4 between Wanganui and Raetihi, improves a section of highway on which
motorists have endured a number of road closures and delays. Slips, dropouts and other weather-related incidents have
become common following severe episodes of bad weather in recent years.
The construction of around one kilometre of new highway and two steel bridges relocates the existing highway away from
an eroding bank of the Mangawhero River, and a section of hillside that has caused a number of slips on the highway.
“Shifting the highway and building two new bridges will create a safer and more reliable route for motorists through
this area.” says regional manager Errol Christiansen.
“This is a strategically important and very scenic route, but it’s also a really challenging environment for maintaining
roads. We’ve needed an extensive road maintenance programme on this stretch of highway, and it’s not uncommon to see
crews working throughout the night keeping the road open for business.
“The construction of the Okura Realignment means motorists can now look forward to fewer headaches caused by holdups,
closures and ongoing repairs,” says Mr Christiansen.
Transit has awarded the construction contract to Concrete Structures Ltd. Work will begin this summer and the project is
scheduled for completion in 2010. Construction is not expected to cause significant disruption to motorists, but Transit
will keep the public informed of any delays.
ENDS