My Account
Residents who live on Hibiscus Coast Highway are used to loud overnight crashes and bangs as trucks carrying oversized loads make their way down the road.
One such resident, Zorawar Singh, owner of SomePlace Else, says trucks like these, particularly those moving houses, go past almost every night.
He says the loud noises are caused by trucks negotiating traffic islands and road signs, often causing damage.
“When we first moved here, we thought the sounds were cars crashing,” he says. “We’re more used to it now.”
Singh says he has CCTV footage of the signs being damaged. He is concerned about who is paying for the regular repair work needed.
“Signs are being damaged every week at least,” he says. “The trucks try to wiggle through the traffic islands, but it’s too tight a fit and they damage those too.”
Auckland Transport’s (AT) stakeholder North/West manager, Johan Swanepoel, says between July 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022 there were 127 instances of maintenance or replacement of signs or poles on the highway.
He says AT’s records don’t say which were caused by trucks exclusively.
“Signs on traffic islands incur a higher rate of damage as distracted motorists often hit them. The signs are flexible to reduce damage to both vehicles and signs,” Swanepoel says. “To mitigate damage to signs by oversized haulage loads such as house movers, haulage teams remove the signs before they drive past, and then replace them afterwards. Most haulage teams follow the process, however, there are always a few who do not.”
Singh says he’s seen maybe one or two house moving teams remove the signs first, but most do not.
He says the companies involved should be held accountable instead of ratepayers bearing the cost of repairs or replacement.
In addition, he has pointed out to AT that when the Ōrewa Boulevard is extended past his place, wide loads could create more damage as the plan includes raised zebra crossings.
