Advancing Road Safety and Construction

Nu-Guard PVB pedestrian system

The Melling Interchange on SH2 in Lower Hutt

The Melling Interchange on SH2 in Lower Hutt has long been an area of concern for locals as the intersection is in a 100kph speed zone. Worst fears were confirmed when a motorist was seriously injured after her vehicle collided with the handrail barrier at the bottom of Tirohanga Road which runs off this section of highway.

“The Council wanted to improve the safety of this section of SH2 and we were asked to design a guardrail system that would protect this corner and the road from a very steep drop off from Tirohanga road onto SH2 below,” says Steve Hobman, Project Engineer from GHD New Zealand.

The immediate concern was the end of the barrier which now has an X-350 Terminal End fitted and will protect this corner in future. The barrier system to be used not only needed to protect motorists but also pedestrians. CSP Pacific’s Nu-Guard 31™ Guardrail system, fitted with a section in the new Nu-Guard PVB pedestrian system, suited the spot perfectly.

“Initially a standard timber post barrier system was considered but due to the limited amount of room available along the edge of the road way, Nu-Guard 31™ Steel Guardrail was a much better fit for the space,” says Jeremy Mallender, Sales Engineer for CSP Pacific. 

“Our boys far prefer to install the Nu-Guard 31™ Guardrail System,” says Len Woodman, General Manager for N & R Askew the installers of the system. “Nu-Guard’s steel posts are so much easier to install and they are a lot lighter in weight for our guys to lift. It’s just quicker and easier. With this install we also had to work around services. Using Nu-Guard’s steel posts made life a lot easier.”

The safety improvements at the Melling Interchange have gone some way to making this intersection safer for all who pass through.