A truck stop with a difference

Motorists on the East Taupō Arterial (ETA) route will have to take care over the coming months as work gets underway on installing weigh-in scales and other technology in the road to monitor trucks.

A truck passes by the location of the new Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre.

The state-of-the-art technology is being installed on all four approaches to the SH1 – Napier Rd roundabout and on Crown Rd as part of the new Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre.

Weigh-in-motion scales, static vehicle recognition cameras, and variable message signage will be installed around the intersection of SH1, SH5 and Napier Road and on nearby Crown Road.

The technology would screen passing traffic 24/7 and direct any non-compliant heavy vehicles into the CVSC.

Once operational, Police officers on site would check vehicle weight, road user charges, certificate of fitness, logbook and driver impairment.

The Taupō CVSC is under construction on the southeast corner of the SH1/5 roundabout.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA)was now advising motorists that contractors would be installing in-road weigh-in-motion scales and associated camera technology and signage boards from late January until May.

Temporary lanes would be built on the road shoulders to allow traffic to pass around the work areas to minimise the use of stop-go or temporary detours.

Speed restrictions would be in place and only minor delays were expected.

The Taupō facility is 1 of 12 being built on high-volume freight routes around the Country, as part of the national Commercial Vehicle Safety Programme.

The Taupō centre would be operational in early 2026.

The site would also include a stock truck effluent tank disposal facility to help stock carriers minimise spills on the highway.