Monthly Archives: February 2022

Overnight closures next week – SH1 Wellington

by

The overnight closures will allow crews to safely install a 6.2 metre tall overhead gantry, which will span the width of the southbound lanes.

Southbound traffic will detour via Middleton Road, through Westchester Drive and return to SH1 via the Churton Park/Glenside onramp.

The first of the new gantries was installed last week between Churton Park and Johnsonville. The steel overhead gantries weigh approximately two tonnes once fitted, and will hold variable message speed signs.

The work is part of an ongoing programme of improvements Waka Kotahi is undertaking to help people safely and easily navigate the state highway network, and keep them informed about any incidents, closures or delays. The work will also improve CCTV and monitoring capabilities for Waka Kotahi to make sure the network is operating safely and efficiently.

While disruptions are expected to be minimal, motorists are advised to plan ahead. Waka Kotahi thanks drivers for their ongoing patience.

The work is dependant on weather conditions and may be postponed at short notice. Updates will be posted on the Waka Kotahi Facebook and Twitter accounts.

For more information follow the Waka Kotahi Wellington Facebook page or visit the Wellington Network Operational Readiness webpage: nzta.govt.nz/wnor

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

SH2 Waihī to Tauranga Works for week beginning Monday 7 February

by

“No matter what time of year it is, how busy or quiet the roads are expected to be or how far your trip is, it is always a good idea to plan ahead and make sure you know what to expect.

“We strongly encourage drivers to use our Journey Planner and check the real-time updates online which provide information on delays, road works and road closures.

“If drivers know what is happening on the road, they can better prepare for the trip ahead or delay heading off until traffic volumes are lighter, or delays are reduced.”

Mr Brady said there is still a lot of work still going on along State Highway 2 (SH2) between Waihī to Ōmokoroa. 

“Our crews are busy making the most of the great weather and longer daylight hours and drivers should expect temporary traffic management and temporary speed limits in place at multiple sites.

“Although we know delays can be frustrating the most important thing is that everyone gets to their destination safely and those who are working on the road can do so safely. Please plan ahead and be patient.”

Waka Kotahi thanks everyone for their patience while we undertake these important works to improve the safety and resilience of the state highway network.

Journey Planner

This is what you can expect to see on your journey between Waihī and Tauranga this week:

Tuesday 8 February – between Marshall Road and Wharawhara Road

  • Nightworks between 7pm and 5am. Stop/Go will be in place with a 30km/h temporary speed limit during the works and a 50km/h speed limit from 8 February to 11 February.
  • Minor delays of three to five minutes.

Ongoing safety improvement works (between 7am-6pm)

  • Athenree Road to Tanners Point Road – expect to see road layout changes marked out with lots of cones.
  • Hikurangi Road to Tuapiro Road – expect to see road layout changes marked out with lots of cones.
  • Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection – expect to see cones marking out works alongside the existing road.
  • Lund Road to Aongatete Road – expect to see road layout changes marked out with lots of cones.
  • Wainui River Bridge to south of Sargent Drive – expect to see cones marking out works alongside the existing road.
  • Minor delays of one to two minutes.  

Takitimu North Link enabling works, ecological and environmental investigations continuing:

  • Wairoa Road (off SH2) – Service relocations underway and continuing until mid-March, Stop/Go traffic management will be in place.

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

We advise to keep an eye on our Waikato/BOP Facebook page for any changes to major planned works and check the interactive Journey Planner website for the latest information on roadworks, traffic, road closures and detours before you travel. 

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

West Coast and Top of the South storm update – SH67 Mokihinui open to single lane

by

“We will have a better picture later today of road conditions given the work underway and the rain which is still coming through,” says Colin Hey, Senior Network Manager for Waka Kotahi. 

North of Westport

SH67 north of Westport to Mokihinui was cleared before lunchtime and is now open to a single lane.

South and east of Westport

The Coast Road, between Greymouth and Westport and the Buller Gorge into Westport from the east, both part of SH6, are open and generally clear.

Drivers should take care at Fox River on the Coast Road where there is a small amount of debris which may reduce the highway to a single lane.

“We need people to be on the watch for slips and debris on SH6 and elsewhere  this weekend,” says Mr Hey.

Greymouth and south to Haast, SH6

Greymouth south to Franz Josef, is largely clear bar a little bit of surface flooding.

Crews are busy on the Fox Hills between Franz Josef and Fox Glacier townships moving debris made up of trees and slip material. Good progress is being made there, says Mr Hey.

“We are still assessing one area between Bruce Bay and Fox township and will have more to report on that later today. More clearance work is underway between Bruce Bay and Haast.”

The long weekend on the West Coast

“Road crews have been working hard this week so we will scale back this weekend to give them a rest. Essential clearance work and patrolling will continue combined with traffic management in areas which may be down to a single lane. Major road reinstatement will not start till after the long weekend,” says Mr Hey.

Tasman/ Nelson/ Marlborough

Crews are busy clearing slash and slip material from stream breakouts that came down onto SH6, the Whangamoas, between Hira and Rai Valley. That section of SH6 is likely to remain closed today and overnight.

The road is unlikely to reopen until Saturday, potentially the afternoon, depending on the extent of any further damage overnight, says Andrew James, System Manager, Top of the South for Waka Kotahi.

The Wairau Valley and St Arnaud, via SH63, is the alternate route between Blenheim and Nelson.

Photos taken on the Whangamoas, SH6, this morning, Friday, 4 February: 

Other parts of Tasman like the Tākaka Hill route, SH60, are open.

People are encouraged to avoid the Marlborough Sounds local roads if possible over the long weekend, says Mr James. “These roads are still in a fragile state from the last storm and there is potential for further disruption.”

Kenepuru Road remains closed from that earlier storm.

Thanks for taking care

Waka Kotahi thanks all road users for being cautious and checking routes before heading off, building in extra time and being aware small slips can occur anywhere after this much rain.

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

Girven Road lane closures required to construct permanent road on Bay Link

by

A small section of Girven Road between the Gloucester Road intersection and the Bayfair roundabout will be temporarily reduced to one lane in each direction from Wednesday 9 February and is expected to re-open late-March. This timeframe is indicative only and may change due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather and/or ground conditions. 

The traffic switch to close the two central lanes is scheduled to take place overnight on Wednesday 9 February, Thursday 10 February and Friday 11 February 2022, from approximately 7pm to 6am each night, finishing Saturday morning. 

Site investigations were completed in November 2021 which informed the construction of these lanes. This work needs to be completed during the warmer months as winter weather conditions are unsuitable for road construction.  

Waka Kotahi appreciates it’s a busy time of year on the roads with people returning to work, school and university. Delays are expected in the wider area and road users are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time to reach their destination.  

Waka Kotahi continues to work with Tauranga City Council to minimise the effects of the temporary lane reductions. 

While the temporary lane reductions are in place: 

  • Access to Bayfair Shopping Centre and Gloucester Road will be maintained. 
  • Only one lane of Girven Road headed towards the Bayfair roundabout will be able to proceed straight at the Gloucester Road signalised intersection. 
  • Only the right-hand lane will be able to turn right onto Girven Road from the Bayfair Shopping Centre carpark at the Gloucester Road signalised intersection.  
  • Existing vehicle access to all Girven Road properties will be maintained. 
  • Pedestrians and cyclists are not expected to be impacted. 

Please drive with extra care through the Bay Link site, reduce your speed and follow the directions provided on traffic management signs. A 30km/h temporary speed restriction is in place around the Bayfair roundabout for the duration of the Bay Link project. 

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists, local residents and businesses for their patience while this work is undertaken. 

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

Crash, SH1, Te Horo

by


District:

Central

Emergency services are responding to a crash on State Highway One, Te Horo – near the intersection of Te Horo Beach Road.

The two-vehicle crash involving a car and a small truck, was reported to Police just after 11.15am.

Initial indications are that there are injuries.

Motorists will experience delays as a result.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

 

 

  

Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works for February 2022

by

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and its contractors are completing an ambitious programme to improve safety and resilience of the network and it is important that contractors continue to make the most of the summer months in which they are able to reseal and re-construct roads, says Roger Brady, Bay of Plenty System Manager, Maintenance and Operations.

“Even though next week is another short week due to Waitangi Day Weekend contractors will be continuing to progress works across the region.

“Contractors will be working through until the end of March across the majority of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, to ensure we make the most of the great weather we have been having. There are a number of key pieces of work to still be delivered, along with regular maintenance activities, which combined together ensure the network meets the needs of the travelling public.

“We are continuing to work under the requirements of the red traffic light setting, and our contractors are doing well to deliver their programmes of work during a period of relative uncertainty.  As always our key focus is to keep road users and contractor crews safe at all times,” says Mr Brady.

Check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz) before you travel for up-to-date information.  For predicted traffic flows over Waitangi Day Weekend, check out the Holiday Journey tool (journeys.nzta.govt.nz/holiday-journeys/waitangi-day-weekend-2022).

Bay of Plenty

Western BOP

  • SH2 Takitimu Drive/Waihī Road overbridge: The completion of the 500m section of SH2 Takitimu Drive under the Waihī Road overbridge will be completed by early-February. Works have been allowed to continue into Waitangi Weekend to complete the work as quickly as possible. Delays of 10-15 minutes can be expected during peak times.  More information.
  • SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Safety improvement works continue at four active sites: between Athenree Road and Tanners Point Road, Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection, Lund Road to Sargent Drive and Apata Station Road to Esdaile Road.  More information.
  • Takitimu North Link Stage One: Enabling works are taking place on Wairoa Road, with service relocations taking place until mid-March.
    Some houses will be relocated from the project site during the week commencing 8 February. Removals will take place between 10pm and 5am and will be escorted by pilot vehicles. No road closures will be in place while this takes place. More information. 
  • SH2 Pongakawa: Night-time chipsealing will take place on a short section of State Highway 2 in Pongakawa, near the BP petrol station, on February 9.  Expect minor delays during sealing, and delays of up to 20 minutes for 48 hours afterwards as the new seal beds in. 

Rotorua

  • SH5 Tarukenga to Ngongotahā: Remaining road widening and further barrier installation, landscaping and road rehabilitation are underway. These works are expected to be complete late-February 2022. More information.
  • SH36 & SH5 Ngongotahā: From Tuesday 8 February four chipseal sites will be undertaken on SH36 between Dalbeth Road and Waikaraka Street.  Following this six chipseal sites will be undertaken on SH5 between Henderson Road and Barnard Road.
  • SH5 Rotorua: Surface repairs will be completed between the SH5/Corlett Street and SH5/Malfroy Road intersections.  Works will take place between 7pm and 6am, until early-February.
  • SH30A Rotorua: Resurfacing night works will take place on SH30A, between Fenton Street and Maguerita Street, until mid-February.  One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained, with a temporary speed limit.
  • SH30 Te Ngae Road, Iles Road to Basley Road: Service location for the SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two is expected to start mid-February 2022. Traffic management will be in place. More information.
  • SH30 Horohoro: Road rehabilitation works continue on a 500m section of road between Collier Road and Apirana Road.  Works will take place between 6:30am and 6:30pm until mid-February.  At times temporary traffic lights will be utilised overnight, with 5-10 minute delays expected when these are active.
  • SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Work has recommenced at the Pareteriro Sun Valley Curves, either side of the passing lane. Traffic management will be in place. More information. 

Eastern Bay of Plenty

  • SH2 Waioeka Gorge: HPMV strengthening work on four bridges in the Waioeka Gorge started 17 January 2022 and will continue through to April 2022. The bridges are Owhiritoa Stream Bridge, Omaukora Bridge, Gibson Bridge and Sandys Bridge.
    Road rehabilitation works commence February 8 on a 750m section of road north of Oponae.  Work is expected to be complete by late-February 2022.

Waikato

East Waikato

  • SH29 and SH24, western (Waikato) side of Kaimai Range: Recent road rehabilitation and resurfacing works progressed well, though some resurfacing on SH29 has been postponed due to wet weather.  Contractors will return from Sunday 13 February for up to two weeks to complete resurfacing of two separate sections.  The road will be fully closed between 8pm and 5am on both Sunday 13 and Monday 14 February.  From Tuesday 15 February, when works are taking place, there will be alternating one-way closures.  During the alternating closures, westbound traffic may travel across the Kaimai Range between 9pm and 12pm, and Eastbound traffic between 12.30am and 4.30am. More information. 
  • SH2 Karangahake Gorge: Night works planned for late-February, details to follow. Peak traffic periods will be avoided. 
  • SH27 Mangawhero Stream Bridge: A detour is now in place on SH27 until 14 April to allow for the completion of new stretches of road either side of the new bridge being built over the Mangawhero Stream. Traffic is being detoured along SH29, Hopkins Road and Hinuera Road, adding around 3.7 kilometres to a journey between Tirau and Matamata. More information. 

Central Waikato

  • SH28 Whites Road (Te Waihou walkway access): Road rehabilitation work continues on SH28 (Whites Road), between SH1 and SH5, and the road is closed to through traffic until early-March. The closure will be in effect on weekdays between 6am and 6pm. All vehicles will be detoured via the SH1/SH5 roundabout at the southern end of Tirau. The car park on SH28 that provides access to the Te Waihou (Blue Springs) walk will be closed during the works. Stage one is now complete, and crews are now underway on stage two (south of the bridge). More information. 
  • Resurfacing SH1 Wairakei Roundabout: Resurfacing night works will take place on SH1 between Kauri Drive and the Wairakei River bridge south of the SH1/SH5 roundabout from 13 to 15 February, between 6pm and 6am.   During this time four-way stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h will be place.   
  • SH1 Desert Road: Road rehabilitation work continues on a 1.2km section of road located between the Rangipo Intake Road and the Tukino Access Road.  Stop/go traffic management will be active between 6am and 6pm, with a reduced speed limit in place until late-February.
  • Resurfacing SH5 Napier Road: Resurfacing night works will take place on the SH5 Napier Road, adjacent to the SH1/SH5 roundabout, on Friday 16 February, from 7pm to 5am.  Due to the location of the worksite SH1 will be closed between Broadlands Road and SH5 Napier Road during this time. Detour via Crown Road, Ashwood Avenue, Clarent Ash Drive, Mahoe Street, Manuka Street, Miro Street and Broadlands Road.  More information 
  • SH5 Tirau: Road rehabilitation work commences mid-February on a 250m section of road located immediately east of the Waihou River Bridge on SH5, south of Tirau.  Stop/go traffic management will be active from 6am to 6pm, and a reduced speed limit will be in place until mid-March.

West Waikato

  • SH1 Tamahere: A full road closure will take place to move traffic on to a new bridge at the Southern Interchange of the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway.  The closure will take place from 6pm Friday 11 February until 6am the following morning.  More information.
  • SH31 Chipsealing: Chipsealing will take place on SH31 (between Te Rauamoa and Kawhia), from Tuesday 8 February.  Please drive to the posted temporary speed limit and maintain a safe distance behind other vehicles.

North Waikato

  • SH2 Maramarua: A full road closure will be in place from 9pm Sunday 27 February until 5am Thursday 3 March between the SH1/SH2 interchange at Pokeno, and SH2/SH25 roundabout. This will allow various maintenance activities to be completed at the same time, including resurfacing at a number of sites.
  • SH1 Ohinewai: Work commenced on Wednesday 19 January to install roadside barriers and re-position street lights.  Lane restrictions and temporary speed limits will be in place between 7am and 7pm each day.  Work is expected to be complete in March.  More information.

For 24 hours following completion of chipseal sites, a 50km/h temporary speed limit will be in place until the road is swept and line marking reinstated.

Some of the above works are weather dependent and may be postponed in the case of poor weather. For up-to-date information on road works, traffic, detours and delays, motorists are encouraged to visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz).

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work to keep the state highways safe and resilient.

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

Auckland overnight motorway closures 6 February to 12 February 2022

by

Check daily updated closure information

Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am.

NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

  • Upper Harbour Highway northbound off-ramp, 7 February (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)

CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)

  • None planned

SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

  • Gillies Avenue southbound off-ramp, 10 February
  • Northbound lanes between Mt Wellington Highway off-ramp and Ellerslie-Panmure Highway on-ramp, 7 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Mt Wellington Highway northbound on-ramp, 7 February
  • South Eastern Highway (SEART) northbound on-ramp, 7 February
  • Princes Street southbound off-ramp, 8 February
  • Southbound lanes between East Tamaki Road off-ramp and Manukau on-ramp, 7-9 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • East Tamaki Road southbound on-ramp, 7-9 February
  • Takanini southbound on-ramp, 7 February
  • Papakura southbound on-ramp, 8-9 February
  • Northbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 7 February (approx. 11:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Drury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 7 February (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Northbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 8-10 February
  • Drury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 8-10 February
  • Northbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 11 February (approx. 10:00pm to 6:00am)
  • Drury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 11 February (approx. 10:00pm to 6:00am)

NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)

  • Great North Road eastbound on-ramp, 7-9 February
  • Te Atatu (Loop) southbound on-ramp, 9 February

UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)

  • Trig Road westbound off-ramp, 10 February

SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)

  • Maioro Street southbound on-ramp, 9 February

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.

Check for the most current overnight closure information before you leave

Auckland roads and public transport

2022 Porsche 718

by

2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS What kind of vehicle is the 2022 Porsche 718? What does it compare to? The Porsche 718 comes as a Cayman coupe or Boxster roadster with rear-wheel drive and turbocharged power. Shop them against the Chevrolet Corvette, BMW Z4, and Toyota Supra. Is the 2022 Porsche 718 a good car? By sports car standards, the Porsche 718 lineup sets an especially…

2022 Porsche Cayenne

by

2022 Porsche Cayenne Platinum EditionWhat kind of vehicle is the 2022 Porsche Cayenne? What does it compare to? The 2022 Porsche Cayenne is a luxurious mid-size SUV with slick moves and stellar power. It compares with the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Is the 2022 Porsche Cayenne a good car/SUV? The 2022 Porsche Cayenne is a spectacular SUV for drivers who value balanced…