KiwiRail is to carry out repairs to the rail line and improve safety at Norman Avenue level crossing in Waingawa near Masterton over summer.
The work includes installing half arm barriers at the Norman Avenue rail crossing, repairing a faulty track turnout and extending the Waingawa log yard rail siding.
KiwiRail General Manager Operations – Lower North Island Paul Ashton says once completed the works will result in faster commuter and freight trains, and a safer rail crossing.
“Once the work is completed, we will be able to remove a speed restriction on the line resulting in faster commuter services through this area.”
“While the works are being carried out, the crossing alarms will be turned off at Norman Avenue.
“Trains will still have right of way at the level crossing but will slow down to around 10kph for about 800m, as a safety precaution.
“We’ll have extra signage out to alert drivers to changed conditions and urge all motorists to take extra care as they approach and be prepared to stop.
“They should only proceed to cross once they are certain there are no trains coming.
“Our key message is to commuters to please be patient as we undertake these upgrades, and to motorists to please be careful on the crossing.”
Meanwhile, for about five weeks, logging trucks will be diverted from the Waingawa yard to Masterton to be loaded onto rail there.
“This means we avoid having logging trucks crossing the Remutakas to take their logs to Wellington due to being temporarily unable to access the log yard at Waingawa,” says Mr Ashton.
“We apologise to all those inconvenienced.”