15 March 2016 | NORTHLAND

Work underway to make SH14 Wheki Valley more resilient

The NZ Transport Agency is starting work to make State Highway 14 through Northland’s Wheki Valley more resilient to bad weather.

Work will begin this week on the stretch of highway west of Maungatapere, which has been affected by ongoing subsidence caused by large amounts of rain and groundwater in the area.

“Instead of continuing with ongoing patch up jobs to ensure the road stays open and safe for road users we are now carrying out more significant drainage improvements to build a solid foundation for the highway,” says Brett Gliddon, the Transport Agency’s Northland Highway Manager.

“This is a key route between Whangarei and Dargaville and these improvements are part of the Transport Agency’s continued investment in Northland’s Highways, to create a more resilient network that provides safe, reliable journeys for our customers.”

A new drainage pipe will be installed along with two new culverts to improve drainage under the road. The road shoulder which has slumped will also be repaired.

The work which is beginning this week is expected to take four weeks to complete.

The majority of construction will be completed off the side of the bank and the road will remain open.
However there may be some periods when one lane will be closed to complete the work safely.

The NZ Transport Agency thanks motorists for their patience while we carry out the improvements.

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