Monthly Archives: June 2021

Plan ahead and take extra care on the roads this weekend

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“We want everyone to get to their destinations and back again safely,” says Waka Kotahi South Island Journey Manager Tresca Forrester. “Expect the roads to be busy, especially Friday and Monday so please allow extra time to get to your destination.”

Canterbury road conditions

If you are driving through the Canterbury region this weekend, the state highways and local roads will have traffic management and speed restrictions as work is ongoing after the extreme rainfall. Crews will be out and about in several places. The road surface may be rough and have potholes in places – slow down if in doubt.

The Ashburton River/Hakatere Bridge on SH1 is open to traffic (light vehicles and trucks but not vehicles with an Overweight permit) between 7am – 7pm (daytime) but restricted to light vehicles only overnight, 7pm – 7am.

Detour for trucks at night on the Ashburton River/Hakatere Bridge

The detour for heavy vehicles after 7pm is via Arundel-Rakaia Gorge Road/Inland Scenic Route.  There is damage along this route, particularly between Ashburton Staveley Road and Forks Road, so please follow the signposted speed limits and drive with care. 

As drivers approach the Orari River from the north, take a left onto SH79 the Rangitata-Orari Bridge Highway to Rangitata township at SH1. Then follow SH1. 

Drivers should avoid the Upper Orari Bridge to keep traffic free flowing and Route72 to Winchester which is badly damaged. 

NOTE: If you are planning on towing a trailer or caravan overnight, your combined vehicle must not exceed 3500kg to qualify for using the Ashburton bridge overnight. This weight restriction may exclude some motorhomes.

Porter’s Pass, SH73

State Highway 73 between Canterbury and the West Coast was reopened last night.

“We’re advising all drivers to take extra care over Porter’s Pass in the coming days as we expect the road to be icy. There will be traffic management crews on this highway, so we ask that drivers slow down around them and leave extra time for your journey,” Ms Forrester says.

For all journey information including links to the wider Canterbury local road status, drivers should also visit Journey Planner for real-time updates.

“Across the whole South Island quite different conditions can affect our roads over the same weekend, so people need to be prepared and stay alert. Take regular breaks and have food, water and warm clothing in your car in case you need to stay put at any stage.”

Brass Monkey Rally – Central Otago/ Otago busy routes

With the Brass Monkey Rally in Central Otago this weekend, expect to see an increase in motorcycles on SH1 from Picton to Bluff, SH6 down the West Coast and over the Haast Pass, and all the Otago highways, in particular SH8, Cromwell to Milton, SH85 through Palmerston and SH87 Mosgiel to Kyeburn via Middlemarch.

  • Please take care around motorcyclists and give them extra room.

Helpful tool

Waka Kotahi has a handy ‘trip hack’ to help plan your travel and make your journey safer and more enjoyable. The Waka Kotahi holiday journeys tool shows predicted peak traffic times on popular routes over the Queen’s Birthday weekend, based on previous years’ travel patterns. Drivers can use the tool to check the predicted peak traffic times and decide what time to head off.

Winter driving tips:

  • Check weather and travel conditions before you start your trip and on breaks throughout your journey – use the Journey Planner. If extreme weather or treacherous road conditions are forecast, consider whether you really need to travel.
  • Call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).
  • Ensure your car is safe and equipped: spare tyre, warrant of fitness up-to-date, lights, brakes and wind-wipers all working, clean windscreen inside and out, check tyre treads to ensure good grip.
  • If you are travelling long distances, share the driving and have regular breaks.
  • Wear your seat belt throughout the journey and check your passengers have theirs clicked in too.
  • Driving on roads that are exposed to snow and ice can be treacherous, so slow down and drive to the conditions, not the maximum legal speed limit. Increase the following distance between you and the vehicle ahead.
  • Be prepared when travelling in case of delays on the road, particularly in alpine conditions. Make sure you have warm clothes/food/water/charged mobile phone. In an emergency, phone 111. Bear in mind some parts of our highways have no cell coverage.
  • Learn about winter driving, including how to get your vehicle ready and if you are driving in an area where chains may be needed, practise putting them on before you go so you are not caught out. 

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SH30 Rotorua works for week beginning Sun 6 June

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Delays are expected at times and motorists are advised to plan for these delays and allow extra time for their journeys.

Work sites for the week starting Sunday 6 June:

  • State Highway 30, Puarenga Bridge underpass – The Puarenga Bridge underpass remains closed until mid-June.
  • State Highway 30, median, east of Puarenga Bridge – Contractors are working in the median east of the Puarenga Bridge as they construct the turning bay opposite Hume Pine and the connection to the bridge median. Lane closures may be in place during off-peak times to allow for pouring of concrete.
  • State Highway 30, Sala Street to Vaughan Road – The shared path on the northern side remains closed for public safety due to substantial delays in upgrading of services along this section. Shoulder/ lane closures may be in place during off-peak times.
  • State Highway 30, Vaughan Road – The left turn out of Vaughan Road onto SH30/ Te Ngae Road will be closed on Tuesday 8 June from 9am to 3pm, allowing contractors to pour concrete for the kerb of the median island at the intersection. Additional lane closures on SH30/ Te Ngae Road may be required as part of these works.
  • State Highway 30, Ngapuna shops to Marino Road – Contractors are working along the northern side of SH30/ Te Ngae Road preparing driveways and the shared path for concrete pouring. Lane closures may be in place during off-peak times.
  • State Highway 30, Tarawera roundabout – The final temporary roundabout remains in place near the Redwood Centre as contractors complete the remaining sections of road before the signalised intersection is installed later this month. Lane closures may be required during off-peak times.
  • State Highway 30, Tarawera Road – Contractors continue installing the new watermain along the inside of the footpath. Traffic management will be in place and may include off-peak Stop/ Go operations. The footpath will remain open.
  • State Highway 30, Allen Mills Road to Iles Road – The eastbound left-hand lane remains closed on this section while contractors complete driveways, shared path and garden works. Pedestrian access through this section is for business access and residents only as there is no through access to Rotorua CBD. See below map for Pedestrian access routes.

SH30 Rotorua works for week beginning Sun 6 June

Temporary speed limits of 30km/h or 50km/h are in place at the above work sites, including when workers are off-site.

Pedestrians and cyclists are encouraged to use the signalised crossings at either Sala Street or Iles Road, and the temporary pedestrian crossing at Tarawera Road.

In the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, work may be postponed.

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience.

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A royally good long weekend on the cards for road users who plan ahead

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“Whether you’re heading south to the ski slopes or north for the warmer weather, make sure you drive to the conditions. It’s the last public holiday for some time so we are expecting higher traffic volumes, which when combined with wintry weather can make this holiday weekend potentially risky on the roads,” says Waka Kotahi Te Tai Tokerau Journey Manager Wayne Sharplin.

“The room for mistakes is much smaller when conditions are reduced. Stopping distances can nearly double on wet roads. Keep at least a four second following distance between you and the vehicle in front.”

Motorists travelling in Northland and Auckland are advised to plan ahead and follow the basics of road safety, so everyone arrives at their destination safely.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has updated its popular online holiday journeys traffic prediction took to help people plan ahead and avoid delays. The tool predicts traffic flow based on previous years travel patterns.

Holiday journeys traffic prediction tool

In order to minimise delays over the holiday weekend all roadworks on State Highways in Northland, apart from weather-related and emergency works, will be on hold over Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

For safety reasons, temporary speed limits will remain in place around several work sites on SH1 between Auckland and Whangārei, including through the Puhoi area, Dome Valley, on Matakana Link Road and at Loop Road.

State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge will once again be temporarily open for light vehicles over Queen’s Birthday weekend, to help travellers get around the region. The road will we be opened from Saturday through to Monday, between 8am and 6pm as a single lane passage. Convoys will leave regularly from each end of the work site, but road users are warned to expect some delays.

“We know this is an important connection for communities in the far north, our crews are making great progress on repairing the remaining slip damage and at this stage we are on track to fully restore the gorge back to two lanes by the end of June,” says Wayne Sharplin.

Remember to visit Journey Planner just before you head off for real-time travel information, traffic cameras, and updates on delays, roadworks and road closures.

Journey Planner

“We want everyone to get to and from their destinations safely. Unfortunately, last Queen’s Birthday weekend there were three fatal crashes across the country. Make sure you check your vehicle before starting your journey, and drive to the conditions.”

Road to Zero, New Zealand’s road safety strategy, has a vision of an Aotearoa where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is one of many partners involved in making New Zealand’s transport system safer so that Vision Zero can be realised.

Road to Zero

Waka Kotahi top winter driving tips:

  • Slow down. It only takes a split second to lose control on a wet road. Keeping your speed at 10kmh below the legal limit will greatly reduce your risk of a crash
  • Stopping distances can nearly double on wet roads. Keep at least a 4 second following distance between you and the vehicle in front.
  • Sunstrike is most likely to hit you at sunrise or sunset. Keep your windscreen clean – inside and out – and be ready to use your sunglasses or sun visors. If you can’t see, pull over and wait till you can.
  • Turn on your lights whenever there’s heavy cloud cover, fog or rain. You’ll be much more visible to other road users and you’ll probably be able to see better too.
  • Take extra care to watch for motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians – especially at intersections and pedestrian crossings. Check carefully, then check again. Have your foot ready over the brake, and watch for pedestrians about to cross.

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Ashburton River/Hakatere Bridge, SH1 – trucks allowed on bridge from 10.15am, daytime hours only for the first week

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The heavier vehicles will have bridge access for the first week from 7 am to 7 pm, daytime hours.

No overweight permitted vehicles on bridge

Any trucks with an ‘overweight’ permit will need to take the alternate routes on local roads to get south of Ashburton.

The bridge was closed to traffic Tuesday morning, with pressure testing underway by the evening and light vehicles allowed back on the bridge by the end of the day. Currently light vehicles* have 24/7 access.

“The pier testing yesterday, using heavily-laden trucks, showed negligible movement, indicating that the pier has stabilised and the structure is robust,” says Pete Connors, System Manager for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

“We still need to take it one step at a time however, particularly as the debris is being removed from underneath the bridge.

“We need to keep monitoring the bridge deck and the pier for any movement  during the day. This means that we need to restrict truck movements to between 7 am and 7 pm for the next week, Thursday to Thursday (3-10 June).

“After a week of use, we need to reassess the situation and decide if we can allow broader access for the freight industry.”

  • All other light traffic can use the bridge 24/7. 
  • If any issues arise, the bridge will close at short notice.
  • Emergency services vehicles will have 24/7 access.

Pedestrian walkways reopened

The walkways down each side of the bridge will also be reopened for pedestrians and cyclists also from 10.15 am today.

30km/hour 24/7

The bridge speed limit will remain at 30km/ hour 24/7, says Mr Connors.

Repair strategy to come

At this stage, Waka Kotahi is still working through its detailed repair methodologies for this bridge pier, says Mr Connors. The fix will likely involve scour protection works, relevelling and underpinning the pier.

“Thanks to all truck drivers for your patience over the past two days and to Ashburton and Timaru District’s engineers, emergency management people and road crews who ensured alternate routes were available to get the freight through,” says Mr Connors.

Local detours for trucks at night are available via the Ashburton District Council’s web pages.

Ashburton District Council

*Light vehicles generally weigh less than 3.5 tonnes.

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SH73 reopens tonight 8 pm, Springfield to Porter River Bridge

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“A huge amount of work has taken place to get this highway reopened,” says Barry Stratton, Maintenance Contract Manager, Waka Kotahi for North Canterbury.

“Crews from both the West Coast and Canterbury have worked above and beyond to rebuild the Porter River Bridge’s east and west approaches in particular, in fairly chilly conditions since Sunday,” he says.

“Three bridge approaches – Kowai 1 and 2 and the Porter River Bridge have had to be reconstructed and repaired. We are still working on a hairpin bend on Porter’s Pass where the road washed out. Crews have also cleared more than 100 metres of deep scree and shingle.

“We advise all drivers to take care if driving over Porter’s Pass tonight and in coming days as ice is a real possibility from now on.

“There will be traffic management people on this highway night and day for some time. Please slow down around them and factor in a slower than usual trip from Springfield through to Porter’s Pass with several single lane sections with traffic management,” he says.

“Thanks to all the regular drivers on SH73 who have been taking the Lewis Pass route since the weekend and people living along the route in places like Castle Hill Village, which has had limited access.”

The Porter River Bridge on Sunday.

Repair work under way at the Porter River Bridge earlier this week.

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Ashburton River/ Hakatere Bridge, SH1 – one more closure today, 6-8 pm Wednesday night

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This is needed to decide if the bridge is able to safely take trucks, until repairs are completed on the sunk pier, says Pete Connors, System Manager, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

One pier was found to have sunk by around 130 mm yesterday morning as a result of the extreme 1-in-100-year-floods. This required a full day bridge closure for the first round of dead load testing to be organised, monitored and undertaken. The bridge reopened to light traffic only late last night.

“We need two more hours of testing tonight to decide if trucks will be allowed on the bridge alongside light traffic, like cars.

“We understand this places pressure on people to get home in time if they live on the other side of the bridge. We apologise to anyone who has to take the additional detour on local roads, or delay their journey until 8 pm to use the bridge.

“Once we have this information, we will be in a good position tomorrow to make a decision on the truck access.”

After 8 pm, the bridge will still be restricted to light vehicles only.

Local detours for trucks are available via the Ashburton District Council’s web pages. 

Ashburton District Council

There is no access for pedestrians or cyclists at this stage.

Current state highway road closures across Canterbury

*Light vehicles generally weigh less than 3.5 tonnes and are mostly driven by Class 1 driver licence holders.

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Ashburton River/Hakatere Bridge, SH1 – reopening 2.30pm today

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Originally the bridge was to reopen after stress testing, at 2pm. It closed slightly later than originally anticipated today for the testing – around 11am.

  • People picking their children up from schools both sides of this bridge will be able to do so after 2.30 pm today, says Tresca Forrester, Journey Manager for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. 

It is still restricted to light vehicles only*. 

A decision on allowing heavy vehicles onto the bridge is still to be made. Local detours for trucks are available via the Ashburton District Council’s web pages

There is no access for pedestrians or cyclists at this stage.

*Light vehicles generally weigh less than 3.5 tonnes and are mostly driven by Class 1 driver licence holders.

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Handy trip hacks to make travel safer out of Wellington this weekend

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“We want everyone to get to where they’re going safely, so we’re encouraging motorists to drive to the conditions, allow plenty of time and take regular breaks to stay alert,” Regional Maintenance and Operations Manager Mark Owen.

“We’re expecting the roads to be busy in and out of Wellington throughout the long weekend, but particularly on State Highway 1 heading north on Friday from around 10am through to 5pm, and on the return journey on Monday between 11am and 4pm.”

Waka Kotahi has a handy ‘trip hack’ to make travel safer and more enjoyable this weekend. The holiday journeys tool shows predicted traffic conditions for popular routes based on travel patterns from previous years. Motorists can use the tool to check the predicted peak traffic times, which can help them decide what time to leave home.

Holiday Journeys tool

Because predicted peak times may change based on traffic incidents, weather, driver behaviour, or changes in Covid-19 alert levels, motorists should also visit journeys.nzta.govt.nz before heading off for the latest information on road works, road closures and delays.

Journey Planner

“As we’re now in winter, the weather conditions will make driving a bit more challenging. This, along with the increased traffic on the roads, means we all need to take extra care to ensure that everyone gets to their destinations safely this weekend,” Mr Owen says.

“Have a look at the weather forecast before you head off and, if it’s poor, consider if you really need to travel. If you do, make sure your vehicle is safe to drive. Check your tyres, wipers, indicators and lights, and ensure your Warrant of Fitness is up to date.

“Drive to the conditions, whether it’s the weather, the road you’re on, the time of day, or the volume of traffic. Keep a safe following distance at all times and keep speeds down, particularly when the roads are wet and icy.

“We know that there will be some congestion and delays at peak times, that’s inevitable. But planning ahead and leaving plenty of time for your journey can ease the worst of the frustrations and help ensure that everyone gets to where they’re going safely, which is the most important thing.”

Waka Kotahi is also reminding Wellington motorists that all six lanes of Jervois Quay in the CBD will be closed from 7pm on Thursday 3 June to 6am on Tuesday 8 June, while Wellington Water undertakes important work to repair the damaged stormwater pipe.

Delays and congestion are expected, and people are being encouraged to avoid driving in the area and use public transport, walk or cycle where possible. Refer to Wellington City Council for more information.

Wellington City Council website

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