MEDIA RELEASE

TRANSIT NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON REGIONAL OFFICE

5 March 2007

Transit New Zealand apologises for delays at MacKays Crossing today

Transit New Zealand is apologising for the lengthy delays road users experienced this morning travelling south on SH1.

Transit Wellington Regional Manager Graham Taylor says Transit deeply regrets the delays caused this morning after pavement work was undertaken overnight on the MacKays Crossing project site. The problems were caused by unexpected rain during the early hours of Wednesday morning.

“Extensive planning and preparation for the work was carried out for MacKays knowing the inherent risks of working at this site on SH1. We also had independent, specialist advice on this work to ensure we minimised the risk of delays. However, the weather can and does sometimes make things difficult for us as was the case this morning,” Mr Taylor says.

The delays have since been reduced to five minutes at MacKays Crossing with minimal delays expected for the rest of the day. The current speed restriction of 30km/h should be raised to 50km/h as soon as the new pavement has had time to dry out. This should happen at some point this afternoon.
Mr Taylor says motorists heading north this evening should not have any delays as a result of the current pavement work. All further work on the site has been postponed pending a review to see if there is a way to further reduce any risk of delays.

“This work still has to be completed and we will be working closely with our contractor to mitigate any further risk.”

Mr Taylor says Transit will provide further information on the MacKays pavement work to ensure road users are aware of any potential impact to their daily travel.

The work carried out last night was part of the final seal for the MacKays Crossing project, which was finished last year. This sealing is necessary to provide the project site with a long-term, durable surface to withstand the rigours of daily use. Laying a second coat of seal some months after the project is finished is standard practice for new road construction as the road needs to “cure” in between coats of seal.

Again, Transit is sorry for the inconvenience and delays caused this morning.

ENDS

© Scoop Media