SEALING OUR COROMANDEL STATE HIGHWAYS

NZ Transport Agency is planning chipseal repairs on State Highway 25 and State Highway 25A that will get underway starting next week.

Waikato System Manager Cara Lauder says chipseal crews will start at the western end of SH25 on Monday 4 October and will reseal over 100 sites in time for the busy Christmas period.
“Summer is a great time to visit the Coromandel, so we’re working hard to get this work completed before the busy summer holiday period.”

NZTA say that warmer spring and summer months are the best time for resurfacing as daylight hours are longer and the warm temperatures and dry air help the new seal stick to the road surface.
Work will begin at Waitakaruru next week before heading eastwards on SH25 towards Thames, then clockwise around the peninsula to Hikuai then Kopu on SH25A before completing the last section to Waihi. Work is scheduled to be finished around the end of November, subject to weather and any other unexpected delays. In total, 28 kilometres of SH25 and SH25A will get a new coat of seal.

During that time Stop/Go traffic management combined with speed reduced to 30 km/h will be in place around work areas. In some locations it may be necessary to fully close the highway for short periods of up to 15 minutes to allow crews to work safely. Mobile message boards will provide advance warning a few days before crews begin work.

For a period of at least 24 hours after a site has been sealed, and before it is swept, it continues to operate under a reduced temporary speed limit. NZTA say that this is to allow vehicles to travel over the seal and help “bed in” the chip and to reduce the risk of chip damaging windscreens. Following this, the site is swept, excess chip is removed and the temporary speed limit remains in place until line marking has been reinstated (within 48 hours of the site being sealed, weather dependent).

Reduced speed limits are important during these works to avoid damage to vehicles and ensure safety including for those working on the roads. Every re sealing takes place there is usually a large number of windscreen breakages and chips. Please keep speed down as it minimises the risk of this damage.