News & Media Releases

Huntly Internal Bypass Extension: Road closed to complete bypass project

19 March 2004

The Rayner Road Bridge in Huntly will close this month to allow contractors to complete the
$4 million Huntly Internal Bypass Extension project on SH1, Transit New Zealand has announced.

Regional Manager Colin Knaggs said Transit’s contractor, HEB Contractors Ltd, was on schedule to open the new $4 million bypass extension and the new Rayner Road Bridge by the end of May this year.

“The road closure will allow the contractor to complete the new bridge over the new section of SH1 and the railway, and to demolish the old bridge,” Mr Knaggs said. “We expect the road to be closed between SH1 and Ralph St for 4-6 weeks, beginning at 9am on Sunday, 4 April.”

The bypass extension will divert SH1 traffic under the new bridge and bypass the existing traffic lights at the intersection with Rayner Road and Main Street, a current congestion point during peak traffic periods.

While Rayner Road is closed, the following alternative routes are recommended:

cyclists and pedestrians should use the pedestrian overbridge into the town centre
motorists heading into town or south should detour via William Street, Hakanoa Street and Bell crossing
motorists heading north should use William Street, Hakanoa Street and Fletcher St.

Mr Knaggs said Transit had hoped to avoid closing roads but a closure was unavoidable. He apologised for the inconvenience to local people.

“By closing Rayner Road, we will be able to complete the new bridge sooner. Rayner Road and the SH1 bypass extension will be open and operating before winter. However, there will still be some buildings to demolish and landscaping to complete later in the year, but the roads will be fully operational,” he said.

SH1 Rayner Road Intersection Map

The contractor will divert the southbound lane of SH1 under the new bridge in mid-April to allow the tie-ins for the northbound lane to be constructed.

Mr Knaggs said the intersection between Rayner Road, Ralph Street and Tregoweth Lane had been redesigned as a roundabout, following discussions with the Waikato District Council.

The accompanying graphic shows the new road layout.

Public inquiries regarding this project should be directed to Alistair Neale of HEB Contractors Ltd, Phone (07) 828 6288.

NEWS MEDIA:

For further information, contact:
Alan Burkett,
(07) 957 1610.

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