Taylors Road glitch to be fixed with new signs

Taylors Road area residents are relieved new signs will give visitors clear guidance about how to get to the area at the northern end of the new expressway.

Previous access was off the old State Highway 1 just north of the Waitohu Stream bridge. However, with the expressway, the northen section of that road has been removed so traffic heading north must turn at the top of The Ramp onto the expressway.

It’s confused people wanting to find Taylors Road, as signage north past Te Manuao Road says “Road Closed” and “North – Follow Detour”. Detour arrows point along Waitohu Valley Road, Dittmer Street and Te Manuao Road, guiding motorists heading north back to the expressway.

However, the old highway will still take people across the Waitohu Stream bridge and turn them west under the expressway to Taylors Road.

Contacted by Ōtaki Today, contractor Fletcher Construction said it would rectify the situation with signs that are currently being made. Stating “Taylors Road Access Only”, they will be installed soon.

Meanwhile, expressway work is continuing, despite opening on December 23. To enable the opening before Christmas, construction of permanent tie-in works between local arterial roads and the old SH1 was delayed, but that work is being done up until about March 20.

A detour will be in place for north and south-bound traffic on the old highway just north of Makahuri (formerly known as Marycrest). Depending on direction of travel, this will require traffic to detour off the old SH1 and use either Te Hapua Road (to the north) or Te Horo Beach Road (to the south), then rejoin SH1 past the closure. Over the six-week period, works will include:

• rebuilding the tie-ins between old SH1 and local roads

• completing the shared pathway

• rebuilding the entranceway to the Makahuri underpass

• installing pedestrian traffic lights

• building a new rail crossing

• completing private accessways and sealing.

The first quarter of 2023 will be busy for the team as it also works to complete the 10km shared path – for walkers, cyclists and horse riders – which is a significant project in itself. A lot of work has to go into constructing a crossing for the path over the old SH1 by Makahuri.

Attention has also turned to completing work on local roads and other outstanding tasks for the project. The southern tie-in to the Mackays to Peka Peka section of expressway has involved speed restrictions so final road surfacing and line marking could be done.

Other work included:

• painting of the iconic Ōtaki Pink carnation, featuring the handprints of local students, within the shared path underpass

• landscaping works around the gateway sculptures

• northern entrance destination signage to encourage motorists to stop over in Ōtaki.