News & Media Releases

Take Care Around Road Works

Tauranga Office

July 9, 2008

Motorists are being asked to take special care while driving through the many road works sites around Tauranga - even out of working hours.

A number of roading projects are underway around the city, particularly the major work for Transit New Zealand’s Harbour Link project. Other worksites in the city include traffic signal upgrades, cycle lanes and power cabling along Cameron Rd, stormwater work in Hewletts Rd, Jean Batten Dr, Levers Rd, Hinewa Rd and Whitaker St, slip repairs at Oropi and Tauriko and construction works in Cherrywood.

Most have signage, speed restrictions and safety cones, but Transit Harbour Link project manager Kevin Reid said he is concerned that some motorists ignore the driving restrictions, particularly after hours when it appears sites are not being worked on.

“The restrictions are put in place to ensure the safety of workers and the safety of motorists, particularly where there are shoulder closures and long-term barriers around sites. Road surfaces are often temporarily uneven or unsealed, so we need motorists to keep speed down and be aware of the risks around work sites, both for them and the workers.”

The Harbour Link project has completed 14 months accident-free during Stage 2, the construction of the Harbour Bridge. The project site, which has a staff of around 100 workers, has lost no time through injuries throughout the second stage.

With some major traffic shifts happening later this month on the project, emergency services – Police, Fire and Ambulance – are also urging motorists to pull over and stop when emergency vehicles need to pass.

Police Senior Sergeant Ian Campion said some motorists do not let emergency vehicles through, which causes safety issues and delays. With several major city roads narrowed and restricted by works at present, emergency vehicles are having a difficult time getting to incidents quickly and safely.

Motorists need to pull over to the left and slow right down or stop as soon as possible to let emergency vehicles past when they hear a siren or see flashing lights, rather than hesitating or speeding up, Senior Sergeant Campion said.

With speed restrictions and delays planned on major routes such as Takitimu Dr and Chapel St over the coming months, it was even more important that motorists were alert for emergency vehicles and took special care around road works sites, he said.

NEWS MEDIA: For further information, contact:

Kevin Reid

Transit's Harbour Link Project Manager

Ph 07 927 6008 or 021 2856512

www.smarttransport.org.nz

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