From the Ōtaki to north of Levin update, January 2024 email newsletter:
The Gleeson Road and Pukehou Rail Overbridge turnarounds are now complete
Ōtaki to Ohau construction update
The Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvement project is progressing well. Before the holiday break, contractor Downer installed all sections of median barrier and the majority of side barrier. The Pukehou Rail Overbridge and Gleeson Road turnaround facilities were also completed, with all three turnarounds now open.
In January, construction crews completed the remaining sections of side barrier and were back on site at Waikawa Beach Road and Whakahoro Road working to make these intersections safer. Work at Waikawa Beach Road is almost complete, and crews are currently working to widen the road just south of Manakau Rail Overbridge. This work will allow for a right turn lane into Whakahoro Road and a flush median south of the bridge to be installed.
The new flexible median barriers between Ōtaki and Ohau have already been hit several times over the last few months. Each time the median barrier is hit, a potential serious head-on crash is avoided. The team will be working to fix the median barrier where it has been hit to keep this section of State Highway 1 safe.
