Monthly Archives: September 2021

Remutaka Hill closed over five nights from Sunday for essential work

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Regional Maintenance and Operations Manager Mark Owen says the work will take place under the COVID-19 Alert Level 3 health and safety protocols to keep workers and road users safe.

“With most people still isolating at home under Alert Level 3, we expect only people with essential travel needs will be escorted across the hill.”

The five-night block closure is the first of a number of planned closures between September 2021 and July 2022 to enable road crews to safely undertake essential maintenance and slip prevention works for the safety of all road users.

While the dates are fixed, bad weather or COVID-19 restrictions may cause works to be cancelled but no other full closure dates are planned during this period except in an emergency.

“The Remutaka Hill road is steep, narrow and winding which makes it a challenging environment for our crews to work in. Having the road fully closed to traffic is critical to ensuring the safety of crews while they carry out this essential work,” Mr Owen says.

“The night-time closures also significantly reduce the number of daytime disruptions for road users and enable better quality of maintenance work.

“Road crews are able to complete many months’ worth of maintenance in a small number of closures because multiple crews can work across the hill at the same time without disrupting traffic. This significantly reduces stop/go disruptions for road users at other times which used to occur almost daily.”

Access will be available for emergency services throughout the closure.

COVID-19 health and safety protocols for those with essential travel

An escorted vehicle service is available for people with essential travel needs only and should be booked by this Friday.

To book, please email email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Health and safety protocols will include staying in your car at all times and wearing a mask for any interactions with road staff.

For more information on the Remutaka Hill closures, including the full schedule of planned closures up to June 2022, visit the project page.

SH2 Remutaka Hill Road night closures project page

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2022 Chrysler Pacifica

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Road works back on in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay under Level 3

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Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency stood down all non-essential state highway maintenance and project work with the move to Alert Level 4 at 11.59pm on Tuesday 17 August, with only essential maintenance and work to ensure security, safety and environmental protection of sites permitted during the lockdown.

“The health and safety of our workers and road users remains the top priority for Waka Kotahi and although some work is resuming, Level 3 is not a return to normal,” Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Lonnie Dalzell says

“We are working closely with our contractors on individual COVID-19 plans for each of our worksites. Every one of these plans will align with the new Health Order and strict industry standards provided by Construction Health and Safety NZ (CHASNZ).

“The plans include standards and guidelines for pre-planning work, documenting the health and safety of staff, maintaining safe physical distancing, cleaning of all plant, tools and vehicles, and quickly and accurately tracing people if they come into contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.”

The individual plans must be accepted by Waka Kotahi before projects can resume and will be closely monitored to ensure all contractors are complying with the requirements to ensure the health and safety of workers and people travelling on the state highways.

“Getting back into on-site work will be different for each project and timings will depend on the nature and complexity of worksites. Some on-site activity will be able to start back up straight away, while other sites and projects may take some time to be fully operational.

“Infrastructure plays a vital role in New Zealand’s economic recovery so it’s important that work continues, but we won’t compromise on the health and safety of our workers and road users, which is our top priority,” Mr Dalzell says.

Maintenance work will also resume across Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay from today.

“Resuming our critical maintenance work as we head into the drier season will help ensure we continue to provide a safe, efficient and accessible state highway network over the next 12 months,” Mr Dalzell says.

“Maintenance operations will use similar COVID-19 plans to keep our workers and the communities we work in safe.

“We’d like to remind people travelling through our worksites to please be patient and respectful of our workers who are stepping outside of their bubbles to do vital work to keep everyone safe on our roads.”

Waka Kotahi expects to be able to provide more detail on individual projects over the next week.

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Manawatū/Whanganui state highway works resume under Level 3

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Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency paused all non-essential state highway maintenance and project work with the move to Alert Level 4 at 11.59pm on Tuesday 17 August, with only essential maintenance and work to ensure security, safety and environmental protection of sites permitted during the lockdown.

Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Lonnie Dalzell says the health and safety of workers and road users continues to be the top priority for Waka Kotahi and although some work is resuming, Level 3 is not a return to normal.

“We’re working closely with our contractors on specific COVID-19 plans for each of our worksites. Each of these plans will align with the new Health Order and strict industry standards provided by Construction Health and Safety NZ (CHASNZ).

“These plans include standards and guidelines for pre-planning work, documenting the health and safety of staff, maintaining safe physical distancing, cleaning of all plant, tools and vehicles, and quickly and accurately tracing people if they come in contact with someone who contracts COVID-19.”

The individual plans must be accepted by Waka Kotahi before a project can resume and will be closely monitored to ensure each contractor is complying with the requirements to ensure the health and safety of workers and people travelling on the state highways.

“The transition back to on-site work will be different for each project, and timings will depend on the nature and complexity of worksites. Some on-site activity will be able to get back up straight away, but it may take time for some sites and projects to be fully operational,” Mr Dalzell says.

“I know everyone in the Manawatū will be particularly interested in what’s happening on our Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway project. Construction on the project will resume today, in accordance with Government guidance and approved health and safety plans.

“The earthworks, environmental, laboratory, landscaping, structures and kaitiaki teams will be returning to site and working under strict health and safety protocols that have been accepted by Waka Kotahi and align with industry standards provided by CHASNZ.

“Infrastructure plays a critical role in the economic recovery of New Zealand so it’s important that work continues, but the safety of our workers and road users is our top priority and we won’t compromise on that.”

Maintenance work will also resume across the Manawatū and Whanganui from today.

“Getting our critical maintenance work restarted as we head into the drier season helps ensure we continue to provide a safe, efficient and accessible state highway network over the next 12 months,” Mr Dalzell says.

“Maintenance operations will use similar COVID-19 plans to keep our people and the communities we work in safe.

“We’d like to remind people driving through worksites to please be patient and look out for road workers who are stepping outside of their bubbles to do vital work to keep us all safe.”

Waka Kotahi expects to be able to provide more detail on individual projects over the next week.

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Highway works restarting at COVID-19 Level Three across the South Island/Te Wai Pounamu

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Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency paused all non-essential maintenance and project work with the move to Alert Level 4 at midnight on Tuesday, 17 August.

Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations Peter Brown says the safety of workers and road users remains the top priority for Waka Kotahi and Alert Level 3 is not a return to normal.

“We’re working with contractors on specific COVID-19 plans for each of our work sites. Every one of these plans will align with the new Health Order and strict industry standards provided by Construction Health and Safety NZ.

“These standards and guidelines include measures for pre-planning work, documenting the health and safety of staff, ensuring safe physical distancing is maintained, cleaning of all plant, tools and vehicles, and being able to quickly and accurately trace people should they come in contact with someone who contracts COVID-19.”

The individual plans must be accepted by Waka Kotahi before the project can resume and will be closely monitored to ensure each contractor is complying with the requirements to look after the health and safety of workers and the travelling public.

“The transition back to on-site work will be different for every project, and the timing will depend on the nature and complexity of work sites. Some on-site activity will be able to resume straight away, but it will take time for some sites and projects to be fully operational,” says Mr Brown.

“Infrastructure plays a critical role in the economic recovery of New Zealand so it’s important this work continues, but we will not compromise on the safety of road workers or road users.”

Maintenance work will also resume across the South Island. “Restarting critical maintenance work as we head into summer ensures we are in a position to provide a safe, efficient and accessible state highway network over the next 12 months,” says Mr Brown.

“Maintenance operations will use similar plans to ensure the safety of our people and the communities we work in.

Watch for crews, be ready to slow down​

“When driving through worksites, please be patient and respectful and look out for road workers who are doing this vital work to keep us all safe, and ensure freight and essential journeys are not delayed,” he says.

North to south across Te Wai Pounamu

Tākaka Hill, SH60, Tasman District, night closures from next week

Tākaka Hill major repair works will restart in coming days, using the single lane/traffic signal-controlled system regular drivers are well used to.

In addition, there are two weeks of night closures from next Wednesday, 8 September to Wednesday, 22 September, 9pm at night to 5am the next morning.

SH60 Tākaka Hill repairs project page

The sort of work (installing drainage across both lanes of traffic) on Tākaka Hill, SH60, requiring night closures in a week’s time.

Motueka, Tasman District, SH60 High St

This Covid-19 Response and Recovery funded safety project involving intersection upgrades will re-start in coming days.

People will be alerted by the electronic signs and emailed updates.

Check the project page also.

SH60 Motueka safety improvements project page 

Kaikōura – rockfall safety project winding up

Rock face protection works south of Kaikōura, SH1, will mean single lane operations with a 30km/ hour speed restriction from Wednesday, 1 September until Friday, 17 September.

Two days of 30 minute each hour/day closures will be needed during the week of 20 September while the crew packs up and completes this safety project.

Ashburton, Mid-Canterbury

  • NZ Upgrade work in Ashburton (Walnut Ave) will be getting back on track in coming days. 
  • Crews will continue to repair the Ashburton River/ Hakatere Bridge pier as they have been doing throughout Alert Level Four.

Makarora to Hawea, Otago, SH6

On Thursday this week, 2 September, Waka Kotahi road crews will be closing SH6 between Hawea and Makarora for up to an hour at a time between 9 am and 3 pm.  The highway will be opened at the top of each hour to clear traffic. After the recent heavy rain and debris flows, culverts need to be inspected ahead of the next storm and some may need to be pumped out. Thanks to anyone who is likely to be held up by these urgent inspections.

Dunedin to Port Chalmers, Otago, SH88 safety improvements

Expect to see crews back at work on this busy and winding freight route to the Port of Otago this week.

Southland – traffic impacts of maintenance and projects

  • SH1 from Edendale to Bluff (over the next week), traffic management with short areas of stop/go
  • SH1 at Kennington, stop/go for tree felling on Thursday 2 September
  • SH1 at Greenhills near Bluff, stop/go for access installation
  • SH1 Elles Road, temporary speed limit
  • SH1 Clyde St, lane drop (north direction)
  • SH6 Dee/Don St, lane drop. 

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On the road again: Taranaki state highway works resume under Alert Level 3

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Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency paused all non-essential maintenance and project work with the move to Alert Level 4 at 11.59pm on Tuesday 17 August.

Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Lonnie Dalzell says the safety of workers and road users remains the top priority for Waka Kotahi and Alert Level 3 is not a return to normal.

“We’re working with contractors on specific COVID-19 plans for each of our work sites. Every one of these plans will align with the new Health Order and strict industry standards provided by Construction Health and Safety NZ.

“These standards and guidelines include measures for pre-planning work, documenting the health and safety of staff, ensuring safe physical distancing is maintained, cleaning of all plant, tools and vehicles, and being able to quickly and accurately trace people should they come in contact with someone who contracts COVID-19.”

The individual plans must be accepted by Waka Kotahi before the project can resume and will be closely monitored to ensure each contractor is complying with the requirements to look after the health and safety of workers and the travelling public.

“The transition back to on-site work will be different for every project, and the timing will depend on the nature and complexity of work sites. Some on-site activity will be able to resume straight away, but it will take time for some sites and projects to be fully operational.”

Some projects are also reliant on personnel and resources currently impacted by the Level 4 lockdown in Auckland, Mr Dalzell says.

“Infrastructure plays a critical role in the economic recovery of New Zealand so it’s important this work continues, but we will not compromise on the safety of road workers or of road users.”

Maintenance work will also resume across Taranaki. Restarting critical maintenance work as we head into the drier season ensures we are in a position to continue to provide a safe, efficient and accessible state highway network over the next 12 months.

“Maintenance operations will use similar plans to ensure the safety of our people and the communities we work in.”

Mr Dalzell encouraged people driving through worksites to be patient, respectful, and look out for road workers who are stepping outside of their bubbles to do vital work to keep us all safe.

Waka Kotahi expects to be able to provide more detail on individual projects over the next week.

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On the road again: Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works resume under Alert Level 3

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Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency paused all non-essential maintenance and project work with the move to Alert Level 4 at 11.59pm on Tuesday 17 August.

Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Jo Wilton says the safety of workers and road users remains the top priority for Waka Kotahi and Alert Level 3 is not a return to normal.

“We’re working with contractors on specific COVID-19 plans for each of our work sites. Every one of these plans will align with the new Health Order and strict industry standards provided by Construction Health and Safety NZ.

“These standards and guidelines include measures for pre-planning work, documenting the health and safety of staff, ensuring safe physical distancing is maintained, cleaning of all plant, tools and vehicles, and being able to quickly and accurately trace people should they come in contact with someone who contracts COVID-19.”

The individual plans must be accepted by Waka Kotahi before the project can resume and will be closely monitored to ensure each contractor is complying with the requirements to look after the health and safety of workers and the travelling public.

“The transition back to on-site work will be different for every project, and the timing will depend on the nature and complexity of work sites. Some on-site activity will be able to resume straight away, but it will take time for some sites and projects to be fully operational.”

Some projects are also reliant on personnel and resources currently impacted by the Level 4 lockdown in Auckland, Ms Wilton says.

“Infrastructure plays a critical role in the economic recovery of New Zealand so it’s important this work continues, but we will not compromise on the safety of road workers or of road users.”

Maintenance work will also resume across the Bay of Plenty and Waikato. Restarting critical maintenance work as we head into the drier season ensures we are in a position to provide a safe, efficient and accessible state highway network over the next 12 months.

“Maintenance operations will use similar plans to ensure the safety of our people and the communities we work in.”

Ms Wilton encouraged people driving through worksites to be patient, respectful, and look out for road workers who are stepping outside of their bubbles to do vital work to keep us all safe.

Waka Kotahi expects to be able to provide more detail on individual projects over the next week.

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