Major summer investment in Whanganui roads gets underway

Around 27km of Whanganui’s streets and roads will be renewed as Whanganui District Council gets its summer roading programme underway. 

The programme, 62 percent subsidised by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, includes chipseal and asphalt surfacing, road strengthening and road rehabilitation. 

Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe says the programme reflects the council's commitment to delivering the core services the community relies on, while continuing to invest in essential infrastructure within increasingly tight financial constraints.  

“Our roads are among our most important community assets, and maintaining them requires significant, ongoing investment.  

“Delivering this programme is becoming increasingly challenging as funding constraints tighten. We can't do everything, so we must prioritise what is affordable, reflects the condition of our infrastructure and delivers the greatest value for our community.  

“Our focus is on maintaining and renewing our roads to a standard residents can trust, so they continue to serve our district well into the future,” Mayor Andrew says. 

Council transportation manager Mark Allingham says summer is the key time for much of this work because warmer, drier conditions provide the right environment for treatments such as chipseal and asphalt. 

Roads are chosen for the programme based on their condition, how they’re used and the type of treatment they need. This includes inspections and condition assessments, along with things like traffic volumes, heavy vehicle use, safety and how important the route is to the wider network. 

Treating a road before it wears down further helps protect the layers underneath and avoids more costly repairs down the track.  

“Getting the right treatment on the right road at the right time helps us make the best use of the funding available and extend the life of the network,” Mark Allingham says. 

“For example, a reseal can protect a road that is still structurally sound, while roads with more significant problems may need strengthening or reconstruction. 

“Rebuilding a road can be like rebuilding a house’s floor and foundations rather than just replacing the carpet. Applying a new chipseal, on the other hand, is like painting and weatherproofing a timber fence before it starts to rot.” 

The Whanganui Alliance delivers the summer programme as part of the ongoing road maintenance cycle. Preparation takes place ahead of the warmer months, ready for new chipseal or asphalt surfaces that provide a long-lasting, waterproof finish. 

Some work will take place at night to help reduce disruption for road users, local schools and businesses. While work is underway, temporary road closures and traffic controls will be in place, and access to some properties will change. 

Where possible, we’ll let directly affected residents and businesses know about upcoming work a week or more before it starts. Weather or other factors can change the schedule at short notice, so advance notice may not always be possible. For the latest updates, download the free Antenno app. 

“We know roadworks can be disruptive, particularly when they affect your usual route or access to your property,” Mark Allingham says. “We appreciate the community’s patience while our crews are out there doing this important work. 

“Please take care around work sites, follow the signs and traffic management, and give our crews plenty of room so they can work safely.” 

More details about the summer roading programme, including the roads scheduled for work and indicative timing.