17 March 2022:

One of the privileges of working in the community is the ability to help make it safer for all. The new Elles Road / SH1 roundabout, built for Waka Kotahi The New Zealand Transport Agency between Invercargill and Bluff, is an example.

The heavy transport route between Invercargill and the port at Bluff, the old intersection was identified by Waka Kotahi as “the worst blackspot intersection in Southland”. In the last ten years 12 people have been seriously injured there.

The 12-month project should help protect road users, and go some way to helping protect the local environment. The resource consent stipulated protecting and enhancing nearby wetlands, including moving approximately 1,000 flax plants from the affected work areas and replanting these within the wetlands, and adding a further 7,500 native plants.

Shown here after the official opening are some of the proud Fulton Hogan crew:- South Island Operations Manager Tony Thompson; South Island General Manager Craig Stewart; Southland Regional Manager Andy Clark; Project Manager David Connell; Site Engineer Ryan Dodunski and Southland Safety Manager, Brian Somerville.