This is the middle, hilly, 13 km section of the Akaroa highway.

The highway will be closed from 8 pm to 5 am the next day, Sunday night, 21 November to Thursday night, 25 November.

Residents along the route have received notices and know to contact the contractor email hidden; JavaScript is required if they need urgent access in or out.

Emergency vehicles will be accommodated throughout these five nights of closure, says Waka Kotahi Journey Manager Tresca Forrester.

“By closing the highway, we can have more than one crew along the route repairing surfaces, replacing signs, fixing road shoulders and drainage, before the peak summer season. It will be much safer for the work crews and more efficient for people who rely upon this route to get it done in this concentrated way.”

The 13 km stretch of highway being repaired and upgraded ahead of the summer break

Waka Kotahi thanks all road users for their patience while it is underway.

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• COVID-19 services update: nzta.govt.nz/COVID19
• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAsouthisland
• Twitter Top of the South: twitter.com/WakaKotahiTotS
• Twitter Canterbury/West Coast: twitter.com/WakaKotahiCWC
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

Specialists will carefully remove each span and pier of the old bridge from the river with the help of a 280-tonne crane. Between November 2021 and March 2022, the project team will safely contain materials being removed, protect the environment, manage a river channel and cut concrete piers underwater. 

Principal Project Manager Glen Prince says Waka Kotahi took the time to consider keeping the old bridge for use by walkers and cyclists, but has decided to prioritise removal of the old bridge and piers from the river for the long-term benefit of the environment and people who use the river.

“We consulted with council, iwi partners and stakeholders, including the local boating and cycling groups, and took a number of factors into consideration, such as the environment, safety and costs, and decided that the best option is to proceed with our original plan to demolish the old bridge.

“This decision does not preclude Waka Kotahi from building another walking and cycling facility over the river in the future.”

The work is starting this week and expected to be completed by the end of March 2022.

State Highway 1 traffic is not expected to be affected by the work, but motorists are advised to take extra care while the work is underway.

Work will soon begin work to remove the old Manawatū bridge.

Completion of the new The Whirokino Trestle and Manawatū River Bridge. The old Manawatū bridge can be seen in the background.