Date set for Heritage Bypass opening to traffic.

The biggest and most significant roading project in the Far North District Council's history, the Kerikeri Heritage Bypass, will open to traffic this month.

Traffic should begin using the 1.6 kilometre new route bypassing the Stone Store basin from 1 a.m. on Monday 23rd June 2008 and the existing river crossing at the Stone Store will close to through traffic at the same time.

Although the bypass route is opening to traffic, it will not mean an end to the construction programme.

Contractors will move next to the Stone Store Basin to build a new pedestrian bridge about 70 metres upstream from the existing bridge and to create permanent cul-de-sacs for turning traffic on both Landing and Kerikeri Roads. There is also a planting programme to complete on the new bypass route involving a further 40,000 trees and shrubs.

Roads & Stormwater General Manager Richard Green warns the target date is still tentative however.

"We have set our sights on having the bypass ready for traffic on this date. But the one aspect we can't control is the weather. If we strike really bad weather between now and 23rd June the opening to traffic may have to be postponed," he says.

The $17 million project has been designed to take vehicular through traffic away from one of New Zealand's most significant heritage precincts and to create a more convenient and less flood-prone link between the Kerikeri central business district and the residential settlements north of the Kerikeri River.

The change-over in the early hours of the morning coincides with the period at which traffic volumes are traditionally very light. Road signs to guide traffic after the bypass has been opened are currently being installed.

Temporary vehicle turn-around areas will be installed on each side of the river at the Stone Store. As soon as the bypass has been opened, work will start on demolishing the existing 50-year-old single lane bridge in the Kerikeri Basin.

Roads into the Kerikeri Basin will remain open throughout the works to provide normal access to the Kerikeri Mission House and Stone Store, for residents in the area, as well as businesses including the restaurant and accommodation providers. Parking will be available on both sides of the river.

A publicity campaign has been initiated to advise the community of the changes in traffic management when the new bypass becomes operational on 23rd June. Fliers are to be distributed to all residents in the Stone Store Basin and in the Riverview and Skudders Beach areas and letters have been sent to affected schools and to transport operators. Updated information on the bypass project has been posted to the council's website at www.fndc.govt.nzn  

There will be alternate pedestrian routes available to cross the Kerikeri River while the construction of a new pedestrian bridge is taking place. These include a dedicated walk and cycle-way on the new bypass and existing walking tracks along the north side of the river which link to the bypass bridge.

An official opening for the Heritage Bypass project will be scheduled for later this year. Prime Minister Rt Hon Helen Clark has been invited to officiate and arrangements are being made for a gala celebration to coincide with the official opening.