Wakeman Road extension opens

An extension to Wakeman Road that provides alternative vehicle access to the western end of Acacia Bay will be finished by the end of June. To enable construction to be completed, traffic will be diverted on to the new road from Friday (June 20).

The 1.1 kilometre extension runs from the end of Wakeman Road in Acacia Bay across private land linking with the western end of Acacia Bay Road beside Lake Taupo.

Chairman of the Taupo/Tongariro-Mangakino/Pouakani committee Kathryn Uvhagen says until now Acacia Bay Road has been the sole access road to the western end of Acacia Bay and Whakamoenga Point.

“The road is narrow with a number of tight bends and could not be upgraded to cater for increased traffic volumes because of its close proximity to the lake and concerns over stability.”

She says the Wakeman Road extension will cater for heavy traffic and projected growth in the area and will immediately take the pressure off Acacia Bay Road.