Road bosses fail to fix road where three people died

Friday, 29 January 2016

Some of the grooves on State Highway 1 northbound near Atiamuri measure 40mm deep.

The cause of continued gouging at a 300-metre section of State Highway 1 where three people died has left roading bosses looking for answers.

The three from Manawatu - Michael Harley Soo, 23; David James Hills, 22; and Jessie Nicholson, 23; died on December 12 after their car crossed the centre line into the path of an oncoming truck on SH1 south of Atiamuri.

NZTA is trying to find the cause of ruts at a 300m section of State Highway 1 north of Taupo.

New Zealand Transport Agency has twice repaired the busy section of Waikato road after the crash, but has only been 'partially successful', according to NZTA acting regional performance manager Mercedes Santos.

Leon Wood, who drives from Taupo to Tokoroa to each day to work, said it wasn't good enough.

The December crash involving a truck claimed three lives on State Highway 1 north of Taupo.

**READ MORE:

* [Road works fast-tracked in wake of triple fatal smash

South Waikato District Council Mayor Neil Sinclair wants answers about roads.

](http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/75118239/Road-works-fast-tracked-in-wake-of-triple-fatal-smash)* [Waikato crash leaves three dead

](http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/75039925/waikato-crash-leaves-three-dead)* Blackspots**

'Not when there've been three people killed,' said Wood.

On January 26, he took photos of the ruts on both the north- and southbound lanes and measured the grooves at 40mm deep in places.

He called the damage 'seriously dangerous'.

'If you had a motorbike go through there, whether it be wet or dry, it gets a wheel in there, he's just going to become a passenger, mate. You don't know where he's going.'

Bay of Plenty Road Policing Manager Inspector Kevin Taylor attended the December crash that killed the Manawatu trio and said there was significant 'tar bleed' for about 80 to 100 metres.

It was the second crash of the day at the same place. Earlier, a truck rolled on to a grassed area next to the northbound lane.

Traffic control was in place and speed was temporarily limited to 30kmh when the fatal smash occurred.

Santos said tests are being carried out to find the cause of the ruts and a temporary 50kmh speed restriction has been put in place.

Motorists should drive with care and adhere to the temporary speed restriction.

'The situation we are dealing with is unusual,' said Santos. 'Our contractor has carried out two reseals in just over a month using different products and both repairs have been unsuccessful.'

Further repair work is set to begin on February 5. As an interim solution, the road will be smoothed over with asphalt until the results of the tests are back.

'Right now, we do not know why the repairs are not working as expected; however, we want people to know that we are focussed on finding the right solution for this site.'

Tests include an examination of the layers of road beneath the surface, coupled with chemical testing of the binding agent.

'Once the results of these tests are in, the Transport Agency will make a decision about long-term repairs,' said Santos.

The December crash happened in the Taupo District, but South Waikato Mayor Neil Sinclair was driving through the area at the time before being diverted.

'We can't afford to have another accident like that anywhere across there,' said Sinclair.

Roads in the region will be up for discussion between district mayors, Bay of Plenty road police and NZTA, he said.

'As a council, we are concerned and taking quite urgent action to get the answers from police and put pressure on people.'