Loop Road/SH15 intersection progress – December 2020

A year of progress for the SH1 Loop Road improvements project

Despite the disruptions of COVID-19, a significant weather event in July, some unforeseen challenges with pavements and a rooster in the middle of the roundabout, our Loop Road project has progressed incredibly well this year.

During the last 12 months we have:

• installed 30 new luminaire streetlights
• laid 32438 m2 or 8109 tonne of asphalt
• installed 1036 metres of kerbing,
• excavated 18,000m3 of earth out of Portland Road,
• installed 785 m of guardrail,
• completed bridge widening south of Portland Road,
• moved traffic onto a single lane roundabout at Loop Road/SH15
• hatched 12 resident geese
• caught 0 resident roundabout roosters.

And, since we began in March 2019, we have

• laid 11,000m3 of metal to the road base
• installed 580 metres of storm water pipework

The image below shows the intersection of Loop Road/SH15 in March 2019, prior to constructing commencing on the safety improvements.

Works programmed for January

Otaika Valley Road intersection improvements

In January 2021 we are planning to undertake improvements to the Loop Road / Otaika Valley Road intersection.

Improvements include:

• construction of a concrete speed table on the Loop Road (south) side of the intersection
• road widening near the intersection on Otaika Valley Road
• removal of the old concrete bus shelter on Loop Road
• installation of footpaths on Loop Road and Otaika Valley Road (through the intersection area only)
• improved vehicle and pedestrian access to Te Parawhau property on Otaika Valley Road
• installation of three streetlights

These works are expected to begin from Tuesday 5 January. Traffic on Otaika Valley Road and Loop Road (south) will be reduced to a single lane, with stop/go manual traffic control in place and a 30km temporary speed limit. The concrete speed table on Loop Road (south) will be built in two halves and will require curing time.

Please get in touch if you have a heavy vehicle/4WD that you will need to pass through in, as the concrete will be sensitive to extra weight while it sets. Currently there are no night works programmed for these works. If any nightworks are required, a minimum of 72 hours’ notice will be provided to residents in proximity.

Portland Road intersection asphalting
Demands on resources across projects in Northland has meant asphalt at the Portland Road intersection will be programmed for the new year.

In order to leave the intersection in its best shape for the holiday period, fresh line marking will be applied tonight, Tuesday 15 December. This will occur from 7pm, under manual traffic control and a 30km temporary speed limit. The new streetlights at Portland will be lit up from Friday 11 December and will increase visibility and safety at night.

Traffic switch onto new section of SH1 north of roundabout

We are currently working to re-programme the road sealing and traffic switch originally planned for November.

If we’re able to do this work before the end of next week, we will provide a minimum of 72 hours’ notice before doing so.

If resources are not available before Christmas, we will programme these works as soon as possible in the new year.

Contact the SH1 Loop Road project team

If you have any concerns or queries about upcoming works, please call Mel Norris from Fulton Hogan on 0800 577 623.

Road users can also contact Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency at any time on 0800 44 44 49.

More information

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/loop-road