Road rehab deferral angers South Waikato District Council

Released: Friday 22 February 2019

South Waikato District Council is angry to hear that the anticipated road refurbishment of the State Highway through Tokoroa by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) is not going ahead this summer period. The road rehabilitation will now only occur towards the end of the year.

Mayor Jenny Shattock is furious that these works have yet again been postponed.

“This is the fourth time these works have been deferred and I find that unacceptable,” said Mayor Shattock. “Up until last week, staff and Councillors were under the impression works would be starting very soon. To discover quite abruptly via Stuff that this project has been deferred yet again makes me very angry. This stretch of highway is used by 10,000 vehicles a day, including many heavy trucks. The impact that this traffic will have on the road during winter when the rains start, will yet again show the weaknesses of this stretch and the road will again flood and become littered with potholes.”

“Council took the lead on tying three projects together – the SH stormwater improvements, Leith Place and the SH road rehabilitation, so as to have one period of disruption for our community,” said Ben Smit, Chief Executive. “We want to assure our community that Council will continue as planned with the stormwater improvements, and civil works and plaza site in Leith Place in the meantime as the surface of the current parking area cannot stay like it is all winter. The stormwater improvements is partly funded by NZTA.”

“We know the news regarding the deferred road rehabilitation is frustrating to our community, please be assured Council shares your frustration,” continued Mayor Shattock.

NZTA is aware of the issues with the old white lines that have been painted over and has indicated that it will conduct works in this regard so that road users aren’t confused by the ‘ghost lines’ all winter. Ends: words: 313