Drivers report chipped windscreens from roadworks in Transmission Gully

Report from RNZ
People driving on Transmission Gully this weekend are reporting getting chipped windscreens from roadworks on the highway.

On social media there are photos of chipped windscreens, noting that the stones had flicked off other vehicles, or that the chips had happened once they’d left the roadworks speed restriction zone.

Dave Vercoe is one of those whose windscreen was damaged after leaving the restricted speed area.

“Literally within about 100 meters, of course a stone flicked up from a car in front of me, not their fault, and smacked into my windscreen.”

Vercoe said everyone had been following the 30km/h speed restrictions, but there was a lot of loose chip on the road. “You could hear all the stones bouncing underneath your car.”

He has taken an alternative route since, but will likely revert back to Transmission Gully next week.

NZTA said there are temporary lower speed limits in place on Transmission Gully where new chipseal has been laid, to avoid stone chip damage to vehicles and to protect the new road surface.

“Drivers are asked to follow the advertised temporary speed limit in place and to also consider using State Highway 59 to avoid the roadworks on Transmission Gully.”

News from NZTA Waka Kotahi
Chip-seal resurfacing works will be happening in the southbound lanes of Transmission Gully until approximately mid-January, weather permitting, then the north-bound lanes will be resurfaced.

Chip-seal is a process where bitumen is applied to the road surface, and then loose stone chip is laid on top. The two need time to bond together, so a temporary speed limit of 30km/h will be in place at all times when the road is open. It’s really important to stick to the speed as loose chip may fly and damage vehicles.

January 9: Roadworks cause two hours of congestion on Transmission Gully.