Road workers in Waikato are being spat on and threatened by motorists as the project causes traffic congestion on a popular highway.
The abusive and dangerous behaviour of passing motorists has prompted Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to speak out, slamming it as "unacceptable".
The staff are working on State Highway 1 between Horotiu and Taupiri which has led to traffic congestion and frustration for road users.
Waka Kotahi said in recent months, workers have been spat on, verbally abused and threatened after people got out of a car.
Last week, vehicles drove into live work areas to avoid queuing, the transport agency said.
"These actions are putting road workers at risk and that is simply unacceptable," Waka Kotahi regional manager for infrastructure delivery Jo Wilton said in a statement.
"At times there are 20 or more people working on this project site – and most of them live local. They are your neighbours, your community, your people. They are doing their jobs and they shouldn't have to put up with abuse or tolerate dangerous driving."
Temporary safety barriers are in place to separate about 20,000 vehicles a day from the workers, which means the site is restricted to one lane in each direction. While this leads to congestion at peak times, Wilton said motorists are out of line to take their frustration out on the workers.
"This project has had some challenges with resourcing, weather and contractual requirements, and timeframes have had to be pushed out. But that's not the fault of the workers," she said.
"We ask that people stay patient while this work is done and show respect for the people on the ground there."
Fletcher Construction, which is completing the under a work cost-sharing arrangement with Waka Kotahi, said the abusive behaviour only makes travel delays longer.
"Our number one priority is the safety of our teams, and if they are being threatened and abused, we have to stop what we're doing to keep them safe," health, safety and environment general manager Carla Tonks said.
Fletcher Construction staff and subcontractors are carrying out major remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway (SH1).
The work involves reshaping and sealing the median area, drainage improvements, pavement treatments, seeing side barriers are made continuous, some barriers upgraded, additional maintenance and turnaround bays for emergency services, shoulder widening and some lighting relocations.
The work is expected to finish in May 2024 with an asphalt surface laid, although Waka Kotahi and its contractors are continuing to look at programming and resources to have the work finished earlier.
