Orewa, 6th August 2007.

Rodney District Council’s roading contractor, Downer EDI Works, is investing heavily in new equipment to help speed up pothole repairs north and west of the district.

The company recently purchased a $200,000 Flocon truck that has been extensively modified to increase loads, improve efficiency and reduce potential health and safety risks.

The truck can hold up to 10 tonnes of hotmix or lime/metal aggregate, which is twice as much as other trucks, enabling more potholes to be filled in a shorter space of time.

Assets Engineer from Downer EDI Works, Wayne Southon, says the new truck will help ensure the district’s roads are maintained in a timely manner.

“Its ability in particular, to provide large quantities of hotmix that can be kept at the right temperature longer will mean more potholes can be repaired quicker.

“The modifications also enable equipment like compacters and concrete cutters to be carried on the truck instead of separately, and fewer workers are needed to operate it,” he says.

“Overall it provides a massive improvement in efficiency that will improve road conditions.” says Mr Southon.

Rodney District Council and its contractors are responsible for 1700km of roads of which approximately 930km are sealed.

ENDS

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