Orange pulp strewn 2km along notorious Napier-Taupō Road
Tuesday, 14 September 2021
Drivers who use the notorious Napier-Taupō Road (State Highway 5) are used to slippery conditions caused by snow or sleet – but not orange pulp.
Truck driver Nigel Chapman’s first thought was he was driving through crushed apples, but later discovered it was actually a stretch of orange pulp.
Chapman estimated road-made orange juice stretched at least 2 kilometres down the highway about 4km south of Tarawera, and came across the bizarre scene about 6.30am on Tuesday morning.
Waka Kotahi – New Zealand Transport Agency communications advisor Jasmine Higginson said contractors originally thought it was apple pulp, but later confirmed it was orange pulp.
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It was not blocking the road and the highway remained open. But the road was slippery, and contractors were onsite cleaning up until late morning.
Police were also notified at 6am and advised motorists to take extra care while navigating the road.
Inquiries were “ongoing” to determine who was responsible for the highway’s dose of orange squash.
The Napier-Taupō Road has gained a reputation for serious and fatal crashes within the past decade.
Close to 1800 people recently shared their views to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s proposal to lower the speed limit from 100kmh to 80kmh on a large section of road.
The consultation period ended in June, with 1791people providing feedback on proposed speed limits from Rangitaiki to Esk Valley.
If Waka Kotahi decided to proceed with speed limit changes on SH5, it expected to introduce the changes by the end of the year.
NZTA figures showed that between 2010 and 2019, 16 people were killed in crashes on SH5 and another 75 people were seriously injured.
An additional $2.5 million had been secured for safety improvements on SH5. Those would be focused on the section from Ohurakura Rd in Te Pōhue to Waipunga Gorge lookout carpark, and would include side barriers, road markings and rumble lines.