Rimutaka Hill Road Upgrade - bad news for bikers?

[riffer]

I haven't noticed much talk on KB regarding this, but noticed a piece in the Dominion Post this morning which was a rehash of something in the Wairarapa Times-Age a couple of weeks back.

Am I missing something here, because it looks to me that they are saying any speed over 55km/hr will not be "safe" over the hill...

What's to be this will need to be enforced?

From what I gather in the Dom Post article today, this measure was passed. Here's the original article:

$27m upgrade for hill


11.07.2006
BY NATHAN CROMBIE An almost $27 million plan to straighten and widen the Rimutaka Hill road will be set for approval before three Wairarapa district councils this month.
Masterton Mayor Bob Francis, also chairman of the Hill Road Committee, said the updated Rimutaka Hill corridor management plan was devised by Transit since September last year on a 55km/h design that saves about $36 million on an earlier 70km/h design from the roading authority.
The hill road upgrade plan – once approved by the relevant councils – would be included in the Wellington regional land transport plan and carried out in stages over the next decade, Mr Francis said, although it may be completed within eight years.

[James Deuce]

NAh they're just saying an old man in a hat could average 55km/hr on the new design. It'll still have a few corners. The 70km/hr would have been a disaster.

[merv]

What I am sure it is meaning is that they had planned to ruin our hill and knock all the curves out to a radius that meant cager design speed would be 70km/hr but they have opted for a tight arsed approach that will mean the curves are rated at 55km/hr i.e. still some tight ones left at least - yippee! Hopefully the speed limit can stay at 100 but they are bound to change it to 80 or less I bet.

[madboy]

I don't think they mean anything over 55 is dangerous. It'll be something to do with the grading of the corners. They'll take out all the low speed opportunities to crash and replace them with higher speed opportunities to crash.

As an inconsiderate self-centred biker I will be disappointed to see the hill altered. As a resident and ratepayer of the Hutt Valley, a cage driver, a parent, a commuter and a person who hates traffic congestion - I think it's an excellent idea.

[Crasherfromwayback]

The tight bastards should've just cut the tunnel wider and left the road as it is to us.

[skelstar]

Maybe they could chuck some heaters under some of those constantly wet winter corners, Snipers on the ridges to pick off the bastards that drop oil/diesel/effluence on the road. said snipers could also deal to the elderly sunday drivers.

[merv]

The tight bastards should've just cut the tunnel wider and left the road as it is to us.

Hey I see you have an RMZ. For us dirt bikers it would help if they just opened up the Welly side of the pylon track and let us through.

[sels1]

The hill road upgrade plan – once approved by the relevant councils – would be included in the Wellington regional land transport plan and carried out in stages over the next decade, Mr Francis said, although it may be completed within eight years.

Dont worry folks, if it's anything like Kapiti's Western Link Rd, and Transmission Gully, bugger all will happen for years and years

[Paul in NZ]

Dont worry folks, if it's anything like Kapiti's Western Link Rd, and Transmission Gully, bugger all will happen for years and years

Not true - you could have built both roads with the money spend on ink and paper from all the news reports, studies, submissions etc. So somethings ALWAYS happening but alas, nothing involving bulldozers and tarseal.

[Paul in NZ]

A major upgrade??

That will mean at least 2 years of roadworks, delays, mess and 10kph.

[James Deuce]

A major upgrade??

That will mean at least 2 years of roadworks, delays, mess and 10kph.

More like 8 or 9.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Hey I see you have an RMZ. For us dirt bikers it would help if they just opened up the Welly side of the pylon track and let us through.

That'd be good.
Need a tyre changing depot at the top though....the way the RMZ chews tyres!!

[Fryin Finn]

All you tar babies want our roads to be perfect. Boring. Chuck in some gravel, water, oil etc to keep things interesting. On a public road the challenge aint to go as fast as you can but to negotiate the difficulties of a public road as best you can. The Rimutukas throws up these challenges to keep you honest.

[The Pastor]

All you tar babies want our roads to be perfect. Boring. Chuck in some gravel, water, oil etc to keep things interesting. On a public road the challenge aint to go as fast as you can but to negotiate the difficulties of a public road as best you can. The Rimutukas throws up these challenges to keep you honest.

YOUR A HARDKORE BIKER WITH A K MOFO!