32 | Enhancing regional transport safety Over the past year, Downer has also carried out a range of safety improvements on State Highways 1, 2 and 3 in Manawatū-Whanganui. T T from page 30 “We are delivering this project using a ‘One Downer’ approach: we have partnered with our internal company Hawkins, so we are doing all the civil side and work on the roading network, while Hawkins is doing all the vertical construction. NZTA and WSP are involved in that one too.” Over the past year, Downer has also carried out a range of safety improvements on State Highways 1, 2 and 3 in Manawatū-Whanganui on behalf of NZTA, with their crews installing signage, high-performance and rumble strip line marking, and roadside safety barriers. Between October 2023 and March 2024, Downer installed more than 223km of line marking, of which 125km was high-performance line marking that’s reflective and more easily seen by motorists. “It is really rewarding for our teams that deliver this work. Even though there has been some negative media coverage, the truth is that all these improvements have a really positive effect on safety for road users.” Matt says a major safety improvement project completed by Downer between Ōtaki and Ohau has dramatically boosted safety for motorists on what has been a notoriously dangerous stretch of highway. Both side and median safety barriers have been installed. In a recent NZTA release, Ōtaki to Ohau safety improvement project manager Wayne Holcroft noted that they had seen multiple hits to the new median barrier since it had been installed. “Every time you see a barrier that’s been hit, it’s a reminder the barrier has done its job and potentially stopped a head-on collision.” In Tararua and Whanganui, Downer’s road maintenance crews also play a key role as a crucial lifeline service alongside ambulance, police and fire, responding to slips, floods and washout events. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Downer - Manawatū-Whanganui WWW.HIGGINSCONCRETE.CO.NZ WWW.HIROCK.CO.NZ Hydraulic, Mechanical & Structural Engineering Specialists 06 364 7444 m 46 Riverbank Road, Otaki 9 k info@riverbankeng.co.nz riverbankeng.co.nz
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