Dangerous road won't be fixed for two years

Work on the Akerama corners on State Highway 1 will not be finished until 2017. Photo / John Stone

Major works on the notorious section of highway known as the Akerama curves are expected to take two years to finish and to cost $13 million.

The more than two-year realignment job that started in March will see passing lanes put in, tight bends removed and inclines made less steep between Barnes and Rusk Rds on State Highway 1 near Hukerenui, 35 km north of Whangarei.

This and next year's programme will see most of the earthworks, drainage and stormwater systems finished, with final paving and landscaping in 2017.

The work includes creating a new wetland to offset the loss of one through the road construction and altered drainage.

Between 2004-2013 there were 64 crashes on that section of SH1, 53 of them from loss of control on bends, resulting in two fatalities and many injuries.

Meanwhile, widening work on State Highway 1 between Fourth and Wilson Avenues in Whangarei should be completed in November.

So far there have been no hold-ups but work will be temporarily halted next week to allow the mayoral reception of teams arriving for Fifa Under-20 World Cup games.

Detours will be in place next weekend for night work to construct the new road surface on the eastern side underground and other services have been relocated.

Temporary changes to the road layout will divert southbound traffic through Central Ave and Maunu Road between 6.30pm and 7am, NZTA regional highways manager Brett Gliddon said.

"We appreciate drivers' patience while we get the road surface improvements completed as quickly as possible," Mr Gliddon said.