24 January 2007

SH2 temporary closure between Korokoro and Petone for footbridge work

Transit will temporarily close SH2 overnight between Korokoro and Petone this weekend (26-27 January) while the new Petone Station footbridge is manoeuvred into its temporary location.

Transit Wellington Regional Manager Graham Taylor says the footbridge work is part of the SH2 Dowse to Petone Upgrade project, and will close the highway on Saturday night from 10pm until 10am at the latest.

Northbound traffic will initially be diverted off the highway at Petone so a crane can be set up to install the new footbridge span across SH2. Southbound traffic will stay on the highway until 10pm when both lanes between Korokoro and Petone will be closed.

A traffic diversion in both directions via Hutt Road will be well signposted. Motorists are advised to look out for temporary signs to guide the way.

Access for pedestrians across the highway will be maintained while the footbridge work takes place. Staff will be on site to escort pedestrians and cyclists across the road until the footbridge is reopened.

Mr Taylor says the highway closure may be repeated on Sunday night. If this happens the road will be open before 6am Monday to accommodate peak traffic.

He says the construction team appreciates that this work coincides with Wellington Cup Day at Trentham, however, he assures motorists that the footbridge installation has been planned carefully to ensure that there are no additional traffic delays.

“This work has been timed so it doesn’t have a major impact on traffic, Cup Day motorists included. We will have staff monitoring the site while the footbridge work is being done and they will be able to act accordingly if there is any traffic build-up. However, as the work takes place overnight, we don’t anticipate any traffic issues,” Mr Taylor says.

A similar highway closure will be needed again in March when the new span is craned into its final location.

Mr Taylor asks everyone to drive carefully while the diversion to Hutt Road is in place and thanks motorists for their patience.

ENDS

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