Latest news with #NewZealandTransportAgency
NZ Herald
3 hours ago
- Climate
- NZ Herald
MetService warns of more rain for north, flood-fatigued top of south next week
He said this would be a big change from the cold and clear starts this week, with many areas waking up to snow, frost and sub-zero temperatures. 😎☀️☀️Well, it doesn't get much clearer than that!! ☀️☀️😎 This Night-Microphysics Satellite image shows the near complete lack of cloud over the country at 7am this morning. This type of imagery is like a 🥸 meteorologist's night vision for the clouds, one problem... I'm still… — MetService (@MetService) July 23, 2025 'This spell of settled weather is coming to a close as conditions gradually turn over the weekend with warmer temperatures, rain and wind firmly returning to the forecast from early next week. 'After what has been a notably cold and settled week of July, the shift to a more active pattern may feel like a dramatic change for many.' He said people could 'enjoy the clear days for a little bit longer' but by tomorrow rain would begin to move into Fiordland. 'That ridge is on the move and we'll start to feel the effects as early as Saturday in the south.' 'Our focus is on the next system, which will bring rain and wind back into the picture for many areas by late Sunday and into Monday, with more severe weather possible on Tuesday.' He said by Sunday, areas such as Northland and the West Coast can expect scattered showers. 'Next week looks more unsettled overall, with warmer temperatures brought in by strengthening northerly winds. 'Showers spread further east on Monday and by Tuesday, there is the risk of heavier rain developing for the north of the North Island, the Tasman District and the West Coast, areas that have already seen plenty of severe weather this winter.' Flooding at Riwaka, on Friday, July 11, when a state of emergency was in place in the Nelson Tasman region. King said the forecast was 'not looking great' and he hoped it would improve over the weekend. 'It's been good to have a break from it, but it hasn't been enough.' He said council workers and landowners have been working frantically to clean up the region. Flooding over recent weeks left homes in Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough uninhabitable, roads damaged and properties inundated with flood waters in what was described by local authorities as a 'one-in-100-year event'. Slips, surface flooding and significant damage from the floods have rendered many roads across the upper South Island unsafe. Meanwhile, many Kiwis have woken to cold and frosty temperatures this week, with the New Zealand Transport Agency forced to issue many black ice warnings. Another frosty start ❄ ☀ Today will be a sunny day for most, but cloud with sit over eastern parts of the North Island, with the chance of a shower or two 🌥 For your local forecast: — MetService (@MetService) July 22, 2025 Lynden said places such as Dunedin Airport, Timaru and Wānaka dipped to their lowest temperatures of the year this morning with -6.7C, -4.7C and -5.1C respectively. Even Aucklanders got some frosts in sheltered areas, with temperatures dropping below 4C every day so far this week.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
Contractor Being Sought For Work On Major Rolleston Project
Press Release – NZ Transport Agency The project team has completed design, property acquisition and consenting to enable construction on Stage 1 to start in October this year, with planned completion in December next year. A major roading project at Rolleston, near Christchurch, has reached a fresh milestone with a call going out for a contractor to carry out physical work on Stage 1 of the project. The State Highway 1 Rolleston Access Improvements project – a Road of Regional Significance – will provide transport improvements through Rolleston that mean better connections for people and businesses. 'Rolleston is at the heart of the Selwyn District, which has been the fastest growing district in New Zealand, which makes these transport improvements all the more important,' says regional manager for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), Sean Walsh. Stage 1 involves a new roundabout at the Dunns Crossing and Walkers Road intersection with State Highway 1 that will make it easier and safer to enter and exit Rolleston and the industrial area from the south. This will provide efficiencies for freight as they will have a less congested connection into the industrial area. The project team has completed design, property acquisition and consenting to enable construction on Stage 1 to start in October this year (once a contractor has been appointed), with planned completion in December next year. Stage 2 includes a flyover connecting Rolleston township with business/industrial areas, improved safety at high-risk highway intersections, the removal of the two signalised intersections on SH1 (Hoskyns Rd and Rolleston Drive North), the extension of the two southbound lanes on the motorway to just south of the proposed bridge at Rolleston, a southbound service lane to access businesses and Rolleston town centre, and major safety improvements and upgrades to the rail level crossing at Hoskyns Rd. Work continues on design, property acquisition and consenting for Stage 2, with an anticipated construction start date of October 2026. Last week NZTA issued a Request for Tenders for the Stage 1 physical works contract for the construction of a roundabout at the SH1/ Dunns Crossing Rd/Walkers Rd intersection, realignment and widening of the SH1, Dunns Crossing Rd, and Walkers Rd carriageways; efficiency improvements at the Weedons interchange and the construction of a new – and the removal of the existing – rail level crossing on Walkers Rd. 'The work will mean some disruption, but of course we will be doing everything we can to minimise that disruption for road users and the adjacent community,' Mr Walsh says. 'It's a positive sign to see progress on projects like this one, adding to a series of projects already underway or in planning on the state highway corridor between Timaru and Lyttelton ports. These include a second Ashburton bridge and the upgrade of SH76/Brougham Street which was formally launched last week.' The full Rolleston Access Improvements project is estimated for completion in late 2028, at a current estimated cost of between $180 to $200 million, including contingencies. Read more about the project here. Later this month, the project team will be out and about in Rolleston to chat with people about the project. These drop-in sessions will be a great chance to ask questions, view plans, and learn more about what's coming. The drop-in sessions are as follows:
Scoop
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
Contractor Being Sought For Work On Major Rolleston Project
A major roading project at Rolleston, near Christchurch, has reached a fresh milestone with a call going out for a contractor to carry out physical work on Stage 1 of the project. The State Highway 1 Rolleston Access Improvements project – a Road of Regional Significance – will provide transport improvements through Rolleston that mean better connections for people and businesses. 'Rolleston is at the heart of the Selwyn District, which has been the fastest growing district in New Zealand, which makes these transport improvements all the more important,' says regional manager for New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), Sean Walsh. Stage 1 involves a new roundabout at the Dunns Crossing and Walkers Road intersection with State Highway 1 that will make it easier and safer to enter and exit Rolleston and the industrial area from the south. This will provide efficiencies for freight as they will have a less congested connection into the industrial area. The project team has completed design, property acquisition and consenting to enable construction on Stage 1 to start in October this year (once a contractor has been appointed), with planned completion in December next year. Stage 2 includes a flyover connecting Rolleston township with business/industrial areas, improved safety at high-risk highway intersections, the removal of the two signalised intersections on SH1 (Hoskyns Rd and Rolleston Drive North), the extension of the two southbound lanes on the motorway to just south of the proposed bridge at Rolleston, a southbound service lane to access businesses and Rolleston town centre, and major safety improvements and upgrades to the rail level crossing at Hoskyns Rd. Work continues on design, property acquisition and consenting for Stage 2, with an anticipated construction start date of October 2026. Last week NZTA issued a Request for Tenders for the Stage 1 physical works contract for the construction of a roundabout at the SH1/ Dunns Crossing Rd/Walkers Rd intersection, realignment and widening of the SH1, Dunns Crossing Rd, and Walkers Rd carriageways; efficiency improvements at the Weedons interchange and the construction of a new – and the removal of the existing – rail level crossing on Walkers Rd.
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Winter weather: Temperatures below freezing, more frost on way, MetService says
Christchurch woke to -3.8C today, Ashburton was on -1C, Timaru -2C and Blenheim -1C. The Garden City had a forecast of some high cloud today and a high of 11C. Taumarunui dropped to -4C this morning and Taupō to -2C. Auckland was on 6C this morning. MetService said it was Christchurch's coldest temperature of the month. Taumarunui's temperature was its coldest of the year so far. The cold temperatures were due to the high-pressure system, Shiviti told the Herald. 'The coldest temperatures should be around Otago, Southland," he said. Good morning Aotearoa New Zealand ❄🌫It's a chilly start to the week for many, with frost or fog in some areas. At 7am, temperatures were still in the single digits in most places. 🌡🥶Christchurch hit -3.8°C, its coldest July temperature this year. Taumarunui dropped to… — MetService (@MetService) July 20, 2025 'There has not been an opportunity for a lot of mixing [of air]. It is expected to remain over the country for the week,' he said. 'There is a chance of a shower around parts of the East Coast, around Gisborne and the Hawke's Bay.' MetService forecasts a partly cloudy day for Napier today, with a few showers around midday. Tomorrow should turn mainly fine apart from a shower in the afternoon. Gisborne has a forecast of mostly cloud with some showers. Tomorrow should be mostly fine with some showers later in the day. A southerly front is due to hit the country from about Wednesday; radar maps show a wall of rain hitting the East Coast. 'The front is part of the same high-pressure system, and it will mean showers for parts of the east throughout the week,' Shiviti said. The frosty conditions prompted the New Zealand Transport Agency to issue a warning for motorists driving the Haast Pass yesterday afternoon. 'Due to black ice, take extra care when travelling,' the transport agency said. Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers business, breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
Elles Road Roundabout, Invercargill, Gets Its Fourth Leg
Invercargill's Clifton industrial area will get a new, safer and more efficient access point from next week. New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises the new access off the Elles Road roundabout, across the recently upgraded KiwiRail level crossing, will be available from Monday 28 July. It will be the key route to the Invercargill City Council (ICC) Pound, ICC Wastewater Treatment Plant and Freight Haulage. 'The existing access via Lake Street, about 300 metres south of the Elles Road roundabout will be closed,' says Jason Forbes, Senior Project Manager for NZTA in Southland. The additional access takes the Elles Road roundabout to four legs (as seen in the aerial map below). Mr Forbes says there will be signs advising of the closure of Lake St ahead of 28 July and people should find the new, wider route preferable to Lake St. 'Lake St is attracting increasing numbers of large trucks and with further developments in this area now underway, this traffic growth means this intersection is no longer fit for purpose,' Mr Forbes says. 'The new access off the Elles Road roundabout will have new bells and barrier arms to protect road users at the rail line, there will also be a separated cycle path adjacent to the new road which will have automatic gates at the rail crossing to protect cyclists and pedestrians.'
