Work is well underway to improve safety on State Highway 2 between Pakipaki and Waipukurau, which will help prevent deaths and serious injuries on the road.

NZ Transport Agency senior project manager Rob Partridge says that the project is just one of a number of projects underway in the region.

“The safety improvements we’re making are proven to prevent people from being killed or seriously injured on the road,” Partridge says.

In many sections of State Highway 2 between Pakipaki and Waipukurau, shoulder widening is complete or nearly complete. NZTA is also starting construction on roadside safety barriers in some sections, and expects to complete these improvements early next year.

“When installed along the side of the road, safety barriers prevent run-off road crashes by catching vehicles that leave their lane before they hit something less forgiving, like poles or ditches.

“We know that run-off road crashes account for 54 percent of fatal and serious crashes on New Zealand‘s rural roads, so these safety barriers will make a big difference in reducing the severity of crashes on this road.”

Road safety barriers are a vital part of the strategy to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Hawke‘s Bay roads.