The NZ Transport Agency said that the route, which includes a new alignment and temporary road surfacing, will be operated under a reduced speed limit until the project is complete in late February 2017.
“We urge motorists to keep to the posted reduced speed limits and to carefully observe the signage directing them onto the correct routes. This will help keep everyone safe – including other drivers and the road workers in the area,” Ross I'Anson, Highway Manager, NZ Transport Agency says.
"The southern end will operate under a 30 km/h speed restriction initially. We will monitor this closely and, if we can safely increase this to 50 km/h, we will do so.
"There may be small delays as people adjust to the new route and the lowered speed limits. Everyone's safety is important so please be patient with other road users," he says.
Next steps for the project are the removal over the existing overbridge and its southern ramp which is scheduled to be complete by the end of November. The structure will be removed 28-30 October. Once this work is completed we will finish construction of the road on the new alignment.
All roadworks are weather dependent and there are times when weather or other things can change timelines.