Goodbye Rimutakas as we know it now?

**bungbung** · 11th February 2009, 13:32

MAJOR TRANSPORT PROJECTS

The government will spend $142.5 million on accelerating state highway projects and boosting road maintenance and renewal work.

Five large projects will be brought forward, with construction of four of them to begin this year.

Major transport projects:

* Muldoon's Corner (Rimutaka Rd), Wellington, $20 million total cost, brought forward 28 months.

Look at the attached picture the yellow lines are the proposed new section

**The Baron** · 11th February 2009, 14:28

Hummm.. road works on the Rimutakas. Good and bad.

**White trash** · 11th February 2009, 14:33

Lol. About time.

You dangerous Welly arseholes have been causing far too many problems on that road for a while now. Serves ya right

**Hitcher** · 11th February 2009, 15:14

The issue with Muldoons Corner is trucks. The road is so narrow that if two coincide at that point, they can't both get around the corner or past each other.

These planned modifications take out three of the more dangerous corners for motorcyclists as well. Fortunately this work is the only modification likely to happen to the Rimutaka Hill Road for the next 50 years, so relax.

**yungatart** · 11th February 2009, 15:53

Muldoon's Corner? Is that the U/H side or the Featherston side?
And why is it called Muldoon's corner...is there a dimple on it?

**Swoop** · 11th February 2009, 19:29

Anything that gets rid of "Muldoon" and his evil memory, is a good thing.

**Str8 Jacket** · 12th February 2009, 07:21

Story from Stuff:

It's no Transmission Gully, but news that a $20 million upgrade of a notorious stretch of Rimutaka Hill Road will be fast-tracked has been welcomed by the region.

Work was not scheduled to start on upgrading the narrow Muldoon's Corner on the Wellington side of the summit for at least two years, but it has been brought forward as part of the Government's Jobs and Growth plan.

Work on the one-kilometre stretch of highway begins in October. The cost of accelerating the project has been pegged at close to $12 million.

It is one of five big state highway projects in the plan, aimed at stimulating the economy and boosting employment as the recession bites.

"They are very much projects Government wants to complete, and wants to complete quickly," Prime Minister John Key said.

A further $100 million will be spent on road maintenance and renewal work on smaller-scale highway projects.

The funding is over and above that earmarked through the National Land Transport Fund.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce said most suppliers and subcontractors for the five projects were expected to be regionally based.

Roading New Zealand estimates the projects will create or protect 420 jobs.

More announcements on highway projects were imminent, but proponents of New Zealand's two biggest, most expensive plans Transmission Gully and Waterview should not hold their breath, Mr Joyce said.

**Trudes** · 12th February 2009, 07:26

NO!!!!!!!!

Build a tunnel you bastards!!!!

**bungbung** · 12th February 2009, 07:29

Have a look here for a picture of the projected work:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=92322

**gammaguy** · 12th February 2009, 07:30

YES!!

build a tunnel for the cars,leave the hill to the bikes!!

and maybe while we are at it,a nice little cafe and bar at the top?

**pzkpfw** · 12th February 2009, 07:43

If they are going to chuck "unexpected" or "bonus" money at roads, I reckon they should do the stuff that normally doesn't make the cut, rather than bring forward work that would be done anyway.

Like make some decent bike-paths.

**Hawkeye** · 12th February 2009, 10:38

Just think of all of the crap that's going to be on the road during the 2 years + it will take them to complete. Roadworks everywhere. Gravel, mud, not to mention the number of machines going up and down the hill during construction.

I'm with Tudes 'Build a Tunnel'.