Media Release
Transit New Zealand
Hamilton Regional Office
Media release
28 July 2008
Homestead Road Bridge Opens
Another milestone has been achieved on Transit New Zealand's State Highway 2 Mangatawhiri Deviation project with the opening of the Homestead Road Bridge last week.
The bridge, which has a 32 metre deck, passes over the new Deviation to join State Highway 2 to Homestead and Bell Roads.
Speed will be restricted over the Homestead Road Bridge and new Bell Road realignment to 30km/h while ongoing finishing works are undertaken over the next few weeks to complete footpaths and reconstruct the road connecting the bridge with the existing State Highway 2. While work is ongoing, the contractor may utilise stop/go traffic control as necessary.
The Koheroa Road Bridge was opened to the public late in May 2008, and the only remaining major structure still to be opened - the Golf Course Underpass, which will provide access to the Maramarua Golf Course, is expected to be operable within the next month once the connecting local roads are completed.
Transit regional manager Kaye Clark said that the two lane Homestead Road Bridge has been designed to enable four laning in the future and its opening represents another major milestone for the Mangatawhiri Deviation project, which is progressing well despite inclement winter weather and is expected to open well ahead of schedule later this year.
With the major works basically completed on the project, the Contractor's current efforts are concentrated on the final finishing details to the project. These include installing barriers and lighting, planting, fencing and grassing and drainage works. The road will be given its final coat of seal once there is a period of fine weather suitable for sealing.
Once finished, the Mangatawhiri Deviation will provide an improved, straighter section of state highway bypassing the Mangatawhiri Village. Grade separated intersections will improve safety for traffic wanting to cross the highway, while new east and west-bound passing lanes will provide much needed safe passing opportunities.
For further information, contact:Kaye Clark
Regional manager
Ph 027 279 5751
Or.
Janette Wise
Communications advisor
027 440 1226