Members of the Brightwater community and beyond are becoming increasingly frustrated over the apparent inept road repairs at the Clover Rd/SH6 intersection.
The project was initially considered “complete” in 2017, but in April this year work resumed, for what has become on-going repairs, with NZ Transport Agency System manager Frank Porter saying, “we are disappointed we need to return to the SH6 Clover Rd intersection to repair the road surface. The new road surface has settled more than anticipated, creating rutting where the new surface joins the existing surface”.
Frank attributed the issue to a traffic flow of 11,500 vehicles daily in a 100km/hr area.
A few months later, and with potholes appearing regularly, NZTA senior project manager Chris Nally says the weather is to blame and until the weather warms up the material cannot be dried out to allow a permanent repair.
“The base course layer of the pavement became saturated as a result of construction continuing too late in autumn. Allowing traffic on the road with the saturated base course can result in potholes forming quickly,” says Chris.
During heavy rain periods potholes also form more quickly, a result of water infiltration through the damaged surface.
“The most appropriate action is to keep the road safe by repairing potholes as they appear and providing traffic management as required to keep the road and motorists safe until the road can be properly repaired,” says Chris. “We thank people for their patience.”
Higgins are committed to completing twice daily inspections and repairing potholes as they appear, as well as regularly sweeping the intersection until they have completed the final repair.