The main highways in Invercargill will soon have a major revamp equivalent of the weight of 120 million cheese rolls, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says.
NZTA senior network manager in Southland Jacob Manson said in a statement that part of Dee, Tay and Clyde Sts, on State Highways 1 and 6, would have freshly asphalted surfaces by the end of the 2024-25 summer sealing season.
"We fully acknowledge that this work in these heavily trafficked areas will be disruptive. That is why our crews will be operating overnight, so retail and commercial businesses can function during daytimes."
He said a lot of asphalt would be needed for this work — he estimated 8500 tonnes, weighing about the same as more than 120million cheese rolls.
"Some of this work had been put off for some time to allow for the recent significant upgrades, given its effects on the Invercargill central city area, but the road surfaces could not wait any longer now," he said.
"We’ve waited until Invercargill central inner-city redevelopment and the Langlands Hotel were built, and Invercargill City Council had completed their stormwater upgrades so we can make sure the new surface won’t be affected by other work."
Work will start from January 5 at Troopers roundabout, then Tay St, Dee St and finally Clyde St, finishing with the Tweed St roundabout.
Crew will work from 6pm to 6am Sundays to Thursdays to reduce the effects on road users and businesses, he said.
The work was likely to take about two months, finishing in late February or early March, but Mr Manson highlighted it was weather dependent, so wet days could delay the completion date. — APL
