Monthly Archives: September 2021

Tākaka Hill road aiming for late afternoon opening – midday update

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Meanwhile, the highway will have an escorted/ controlled opening in each direction at 2 pm before work resumes, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. 

SH60 was closed mid yesterday afternoon after heavy rain and debris overwhelmed a culvert and flooded the highway.   

“This first slip and fallen tree was cleared but a second slip occurred nearby late in the day, keeping the highway closed overnight,” says Andrew James, System Manager for Waka Kotahi, Top of the South. 

“We managed to safely allow drivers around the slip and over the hill in each direction late Thursday, however the second slip meant we could not open the route overnight because it was too dangerous an environment for crews to work in, and there is a lot of work to do today to make it safe.” 

There is no detour for the Tākaka Hill road.

SH 60 Riwaka to Upper Tākaka (Tākaka Hill) live traffic update

 

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Tākaka Hill road closed Friday after slips blocked SH60 Thursday afternoon – 11 am update

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SH60 was closed mid yesterday afternoon after heavy rain and debris overwhelmed a culvert and flooded the highway.   

“This first slip and fallen tree was cleared but a second slip occurred nearby late in the day, keeping the highway closed overnight,” says Andrew James, System Manager for Waka Kotahi, Top of the South. 

“We managed to safely allow drivers around the slip and over the hill in each direction late Thursday, however the second slip meant we could not open the route overnight because it was too dangerous an environment for crews to work in, and there is a lot of work to do today to make it safe.” 

There is no detour for the Tākaka Hill road. 

“Currently given the narrowness of the road and the machinery clearing the material, emergency vehicles also cannot pass safely,” says Mr James.

SH 60 Riwaka to Upper Tākaka (Tākaka Hill) live traffic update

 

Work underway clearing debris earlier today.

 

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Auckland overnight motorway closures 19–25 September 2021

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Please note this Traffic Bulletin is updated every Friday.

Daily updated closure information

Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 8pm and finish at 5am.

NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

  • Oteha Valley Road southbound on-ramp, 22-23 September 
  • Northbound lanes between Greville Road off-ramp and Oteha Valley Road on-ramp, 22 September 
  • Greville Road northbound on-ramp, 22 September 
  • Southbound lanes between Upper Harbour Highway off-ramp and Tristram Avenue on-ramp, 19 September 
  • Upper Harbour Highway southbound on-ramp, 19 September 
  • Onewa Road northbound on-ramp, 20 September 

CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)

  • Fanshawe Street northbound on-ramp, 23 September 

SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

  • South Eastern Highway (SEART) northbound on-ramp, 20 September 
  • Mt Wellington Highway northbound off-ramp, 22 September 
  • Southbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 24 September 
  • Takanini southbound on-ramp, 24 September 
  • Northbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Takanini on-ramp, 22-23 September 
  • Papakura northbound (diamond) on-ramp, 22-23 September 
  • Papakura northbound (loop) on-ramp, 22-23 September
  • Pokeno northbound on-ramp, 21-23 September 

NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)

  • Grafton Road eastbound on-ramp, 22 September 

UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)

  • None planned

SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)

  • Mahunga Drive southbound off-ramp, 20 September

GEORGE BOLT MEMORIAL DRIVE (SH20A)

  • None planned

PUHINUI ROAD (SH20B)

  • None planned

STATE HIGHWAY 22 (SH22)

  • None planned

STATE HIGHWAY 2 (SH2)

  • None planned

Please follow the signposted detours. Waka Kotahi thanks you for your co-operation during these essential improvements and maintenance.

Current overnight closure information 

Auckland roads and public transport information

SH1 Ōhinewai lighting works

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To make this section of SH1 safer and more consistent with the rest of SH1 Waikato Expressway we’re installing roadside barriers to prevent people from running off the road. The roadside lights need to be repositioned to provide room for the new barriers to be installed.

From Monday 27 September until the end of October, the crew will be removing existing lights and installing new ones along the southbound section.

The work will be undertaken behind the existing temporary barrier system currently in place along this section of State Highway 1.

A temporary speed limit of 70km/h is already in place to ensure safety of road users and road workers.

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their care and patience.

rary speed limits of 30km/h or 50km/h are in place for everyone’s safety 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 and understanding while this important work is undertaken to improve SH30 for everyone using the road.    

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SH1 closed overnight for TG gateway signage installation

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The SH1 closures will be in place between the Tawa and Mungavin Avenue interchanges on Sunday 26 to Tuesday 28 September from 9pm to 5am each night. Northbound traffic will detour via Tawa and Kenepuru Drive onto Mungavin Avenue (Porirua) interchange and reverse for southbound traffic.

“People should allow extra time for their journey and are reminded to follow the speed limits on local roads,” says Waka Kotahi Regional Maintenance and Operations Manager, Mark Owen.

The gantry is a steel overhead beam, spanning the width of the motorway, that will hold the large green destination signs and traffic cameras. This cross-motorway gantry is the largest sign for the new motorway, spanning 34 metres and weighing 30 tonnes.

The work will take up to three nights but may be completed earlier. The team will start by installing the footings of the gantry, requiring precise work across the motorway to ensure the footings perfectly align. The large 34-metre steel truss is then lifted into place, followed by the installation of the signage and traffic cameras. The signs will be covered until the new motorway opens.

“While the closure is in place for the gantry installation, the Waka Kotahi team preparing the wider state highway network for the opening of the new motorway will also be working to install other infrastructure,” Mr Owen says.

“South of Transmission Gully, the team will install foundations for new signage, fibre optic cables for traffic cameras and new electronic signs advising of variable speed limits or road conditions. This will mean we can keep people better informed about their journeys and have greater visibility over the network to make sure it’s running smoothly.

“There continues to be a lot of work on and around the Transmission Gully site on SH1 at Linden. We are reminding people to keep to the posted speed limits for their own safety and the safety of our workers.

“We also remind people of the overnight closures in place on SH58 Paremata Road between SH1 and Postgate Drive for road surfacing works. These night closures run through until Thursday 30 September.”

Waka Kotahi is working with the Transmission Gully Public Private Partnership contractor, Wellington Gateway Partnership, and its subcontractor, CPB HEB Joint Venture, to understand the full impacts of the recent Covid-19 lockdown, Alert Level 3 restrictions, and supply chain constraints as a result of the extended lockdown in Auckland.

Transmission Gully motorway

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2022 Honda Passport

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Be prepared, wet and windy weather may impact travel in Auckland and Northland overnight

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The windy weather is expected to build from 7pm this evening, with the strongest gusts predicted to arrive in the vicinity of the Harbour Bridge between midnight and 6am, lasting for around 2 hours during that time.

Updates will be provided via the Waka Kotahi Twitter account.

Road users should check this or our Journey Planner website before heading out. 

The winds may force a change to the lane layout on the bridge, but with safety our priority we will also not hesitate to fully close the bridge if it becomes necessary.

Motorists are urged to keep within their lane when crossing the bridge, drive to the conditions and look out for our electronic message boards which will indicate further lane closures and reduced speeds.

MetService has indicated the winds will vary during the night, so drivers of high sided vehicles and motorcyclists are encouraged to avoid the bridge and use the Western Ring on State Highways 16 and 18.

Traffic volumes continue to be lower while Auckland remains under Alert Level 3 restrictions, but Waka Kotahi would like to remind road users to still plan ahead and allow more time for their journey.

Auckland Transport also advises that the high winds could cause delays or cancellations to public transport tomorrow morning. The best way to keep up to date is to follow the AT Travel Alerts on Twitter @AT_travelalerts for any changes to services.

MetService has also issued a Heavy Rain warning for Northland overnight.

As much as 90mm of rain may fall between 10pm and 7am with localised downpours expected.

Motorists should drive carefully and be on the look-out for surface flooding and slips.

Waka Kotahi will be actively monitoring the situation with maintenance crews out on the network ready to react if gusts and rain reach the predicted levels.

For updates and information about this work, or any other motorway issues please call 0800 44 4449 or email email hidden; JavaScript is required

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Transport projects across Tāmaki Makaurau move back into gear, border checkpoints remain in place

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When the country moved to Alert Level 4 in August, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency put all non-essential state highway maintenance and project work on hold. Only essential maintenance and work ensuring security, safety, and environmental protection of sites was permitted at Alert Level 4.

“Tāmaki Makaurau is seen as the frontline in the defence against the delta variant of COVID-19 and so it’s critical the health and safety of our workers and road users remains the top priority for Waka Kotahi,” says Andy Thackwray National Manager Infrastructure Delivery.

“We’ve assessed the risks, working closely with our contractors on individual COVID-19 plans for each of our worksites, and we’re confident that by following the new Health Order and strict industry standards provided by Construction Health and Safety NZ (CHASNZ), our staff can safely carry out work.”

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.

“Infrastructure plays a vital role in New Zealand’s economic recovery so it’s important that work continues. However, construction is just one part of this and many of our teams have continued planning and design work throughout evel 4 and will continue to do so from home,” says Andy Thackwray.

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

From Wednesday our staff and contractors will be preparing to resume works on the following projects:

  • Dome Valley Safety Improvements Project
  • Northern Corridor Improvements Project
  • The Old Māngere Bridge Replacement Project
  • Northwestern Bus Improvements Project
  • SH22 Glenbrook Roundabout
  • Glenn Innis to Tāmaki Drive Stage 2 Shared Path
  • Papakura to Drury Stage 1A
  • Ara Tūhono – Pūhoi to Warkworth
  • SH20B Early Improvements Project
  • Penlink Project (Geotech works)

Waka Kotahi has been assisting Police with traffic management of border checkpoints and this will continue under Level 3.

Critical maintenance work will also resume as we head into the drier season to help ensure we continue to provide a safe, efficient and accessible state highway network over the next 12 months.

“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.”

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