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Transmission Gully set to be resurfaced, rebuilt over summer

Transmission Gully set to be resurfaced, rebuilt over summer

Wellington commuters can expect more disruption on the beleaguered Transmission Gully, as work's done to patch up a stretch of the Lower North Island highway for up to half a year. The Transport Agency is planning to re-surface and rebuild several kilometres of the road north of Porirua, likely meaning lane closures during the day, and full closures at night. The work's forecast to go from roughly October until March. It comes just three and a half years after the $1.25 billion highway opened after years of delays, and relates to a legal battle with one of the road's builders over unfinished work and quality issues. The agency settled the matter out of court. NZTA Regional Manager Mark Owen said the work's not unexpected, but part of the road has deteriorated faster than expected, and concedes it will be frustrating for drivers over virtually the entirety of summer. "At the moment there are some sections that are a little bit rough, and the chipsealing's not always the most waterproof," he said. "[The road] was finished acceptable for people to use, but it wasn't complete." NZTA is still finalising its plan for the work, and is expected to announce a schedule and cost over the coming week or so. Owen concedes it's frustrating and asks drivers to be patient, but sees this as the last major hiccup before the highway's finally completed. "It's going to take a little bit of time ... we've got an intensive programme to fix it so it lasts its life cycle." A proposal for Transmission Gully's speed limit to be increased to 110km/hr is also being considered, but would likely have to wait until after this work.