Update: 2 November, 7 am:

Both projects are now being treated as one work site to minimise disruption for road users. The timing of the works has also changed.

The resurfacing and safety improvements will now be carried out between 6 November and 21 November.

Traffic management will be in place Monday to Friday, 7 am – 6 pm.

31 October:

Wellington Transport Alliance contractors will be hard at work near Mount Bruce, from 6 November through to 21 November working, at several sites between Ruamahanga Gorge Road and Bruce Road.

They will be installing new safety barriers, carrying out drainage work, removing trees at risk of falling onto the highway, and sealing driveways.

This is important work. Safety barriers are proven to reduce the risk of death and serious injuries from crashes. Improving and clearing drains helps protect the highway from damage, and removing dangerous trees is critical to preventing delays and disruptions from potential treefalls.

The work will be done during weekdays, from 7 am to 6 pm, under stop/go traffic control. It will mean drivers travelling on State Highway 2 between Masterton and Eketahuna will experience short delays.

Drivers also need to be aware of road reconstruction works also being carried out in the same area from 6 November to 21 November. The Wellington Transport Alliance will be working on two sections of the state highway.

Road users must respect traffic management in place and follow the instructions of road crews. Keeping drivers and contractors safe is a priority.

Works schedule

Reconstruction works:

• Monday, 6 November to 21 November. Monday to Friday, 7 am – 6 pm
• Stop/Go traffic management. Drivers can expect short delays
• Works location – see map below

Approximate location of the reconstruction works areas.

Safety improvements:

• Sunday, 5 November to early December. Monday – Friday, 7 am to 6:30 pm
• Stop/Go traffic management. Drivers can expect short delays
• Works location – see map below 

Approximate location of the safety improvement works area.

“We’ve had surface flooding closing various parts of State Highway 25 today and there could be more to come,” says Waka Kotahi Journey Manager for the Waikato, Liam Ryan.

“While the network has held up pretty well given that we’ve had 200mm of rain in the last 24hrs on the Pinnacles, we’re not out of the woods yet with another 100 to 200mm of rain expected overnight.

“At various times today flooding has closed the state highway at Manaia, Hikuai and just north of Whitianga. Road users should keep an eye on the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner because the situation is changeable. journeys.nzta.govt.nz

SH2 is currently under stop/go traffic management around 2km east of Paeroa on the approach to Karangahake Gorge, due to a small slip. Expect delays. With contactors working to clear it this afternoon, a second stop/go may be required in the Gorge to provide access for trucks and trailers to a stockpile site where the slip material will be temporarily stored.

“In other areas around the Coromandel loop, SH25 is currently shut at Hikuai due to flooding however the rest of the state highway is back open, but this could change at any time. If you have to drive, drive with caution as surface water remains in many areas and there may be debris on the road,” says Mr Ryan.

The Kauaeranga river is still an area of concern, and could force a road closure at high tide tonight around 9pm.

“Please consider whether your trip is necessary and don’t go out if you don’t have to, especially once it’s dark. Those that need to travel should take it slowly and carefully, watch their following distances and expect the unexpected,” Mr Ryan says.

Flooding at Manaia, SH25 around midday today.

From Wednesday 1 November, the road will be closed from Waioeka Pa Road to Matawai between the hours of 7am and 5pm each of the three days. During the day there will be three opening periods of 20 minutes each, at 9am, 12pm and 2pm. 

Road width through the Gorge is narrow, and the confined space makes it challenging to allow road users past the machinery required to reseal roads. Safety of road users and road workers is a core value for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and Higgins, the road maintenance contractor undertaking the work. Significant planning has taken place to find the best time and method for completing the work while allowing traffic to travel through the Gorge. 

“We have to balance disruption to road users against efficiency and safety, ” says Roger Brady, Acting Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations for Waka Kotahi.

“We acknowledge that these works are disruptive, however in this instance closing the road is the only way to undertake the work safety.”

Following the closures there will several days of resealing completed at sections with more width. This will be carried out under stop/go traffic management with temporary speed limits. Overall, almost 20 lane kilometres will be resealed across 24 sites. 

All chipseal sites require time to allow the new seal to bed into the existing road surface. During this time the road will be unmarked with a temporary speed limit, and cones delineating the newly sealed area. Road users are asked to adhere to any signage, temporary speed limits and instructions from crew members. 

Status of SH2 Waioeka Gorge while the closures are in place from 1 to 3 November:

Waka Kotahi thanks road users for their patience while we carry out this vital work.

The Wellington Transport Alliance is doing planned maintenance nightly between 9 pm and 4 am starting Sunday, 5 November and finishing Friday morning, 10 November. The highway will be closed to traffic during these times.

These are the last planned closures for 2023. Dates for 2024 will be released soon.

Planned work includes extensive asphalt resurfacing each night, weather permitting. It requires large machinery which takes up much of the road. This means there will only be two escorted crossings each night.

• 10.30 pm Featherston to Hutt
• 11.30 pm Hutt to Featherston

People wanting to cross the hill during the closure should book in advance for a place on the escorted crossings.

For Sunday night, please book by 4 pm Friday, 3 November. For Monday to Thursday nights, please book by 4 pm each day for that night.

Bookings for escorted crossings can be made online:

• Remutaka Hill Closure Escort Booking Form

Waka Kotahi understands these closures do cause travel delays. However, these regular maintenance closures are essential for keeping this vital state highway link open.

Full closures also help reduce the overall disruption for road users. They allow road crews to work more efficiently and complete repairs faster. Doing the work during the day under stop/go traffic controls would create major travel delays. Closing the highway is also much safer as some maintenance tasks require large machinery that uses most of the road area.

Waka Kotahi wants to thank drivers for their patience and cooperation while the Wellington Transport Alliance completes this work.

Important information for Remutaka Hill closures:

• Escorted crossings are available during closure nights but must be booked in advance. We always communicate well before planned closures and provide contact details so bookings can be made.
• Bookings can be made online on the Waka Kotahi website:
  • Remutaka Hill Closure Escort Booking Form
• Bookings are essential – drivers who turn up without one risk being turned away. If you have a genuine emergency on the night, the hill manager will decide how best to help you.
• The escorted crossings are for light vehicles only. To keep our contractors safe, heavy vehicles can’t be accommodated.
• Full access is always available for emergency services.

State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill Closure Dates. July-December 2023

More information about planned maintenance closures for Remutaka Hill can be found on our website:

• SH2 Remutaka Hill road night closures
• Wellington Transport Alliance

State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill slump site update:
Work started this week to build a retaining wall to stabilise the bank below the slump. It is due to be complete around 15 December. The barrier will be reinstalled, and the road resurfaced before Christmas. Stop/go traffic control will continue during the work.

Aerial view facing north, over Cambridge and Moffat roads – taken October 2023

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery, Jo Wilton, advises construction work to complete the new Cambridge Road Overbridge, between Bethlehem and Tauriko, has entered its final phase, as part of the new 6.8km expressway project.

“This is one of three bridges nearing completion on the project which is really exciting progress. Cambridge Road is our busiest site on the project with 14,000 vehicles travelling through daily, and our crew is now focused on complex tie-in work to connect the new bridge which will result in a new road layout. A diversion road is being built allowing traffic to flow past the site while construction continues. Once the diversion road is built, the existing Cambridge Road will be dug out and materials laid for the new road.”

The work requires a three-month closure of a section of Moffat Road near Tauranga Adventist School. This will be a significant disruption to travel through this area with a diversion road in use, and local detours for light vehicles and heavy trucks to use State Highway 29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road.

People will have the opportunity to learn about what to expect at a community open day on Saturday 18 November.

“We are very keen to get out to the community to talk through these works and what to expect. We’ll be holding an Open Day at Bethlehem Hall, 239 State Highway 2, Bethlehem, on Saturday 18 November between 10.30am-1.30pm. Our team looks forward to answering questions people may have.

“This is a challenging job requiring coordination between multiple teams working on the bridge structure, utilities, drainage, earthworks, and pavement crews – as well as significant traffic management including detours, road and lane closures and temporary speed limits.

“Road users should expect disruption during this important phase of construction, there will be an inevitable impact for people who travel through this area. We are working with Tauranga City Council, schools, and residents on the impacts of this work,” says Ms Wilton.

The project is being carried out in three phases, the second phase starting in January, will see a full closure of a section of Moffat Road, between January and April 2024. A bylaw preventing the use of heavy trucks on the local detour means tolls on SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road will be lifted for heavy trucks during this phase.

Further information on the timing of specific road closures and detours will be shared on Journey Planner, VMS boards, and the Waka Kotahi Waikato Bay of Plenty Facebook page. Everyone who travels through this area is encouraged to look out for updates.

The Cambridge Road Overbridge is expected to be complete in April, but other works around the intersection will continue to mid-2024.

Once completed, the overbridge will become the new local road, linking Cambridge and Moffat roads, and allowing for the Takitimu North Link expressway to be built underneath.

Find out more about progress and new road layout for Cambridge Road here:

Takitimu North Link – Cambridge Road

Video flyover of Cambridge Road and upcoming construction site:

The summer maintenance season is in full swing and State Highway 3 and 43 are a hive of activity with work to improve the resilience and the safety of the network.

Essential maintenance work and a number of ongoing infrastructure projects underway on SH3 between New Plymouth and Te Kuiti, as well as SH43 between Whangamomona and Taumarunui, means traffic cones, traffic management and hi-vis vests are a common site on the network at the moment.

Waka Kotahi Manawatū-Whanganui and Taranaki System Manager Liesl Dawson says delays during summer works can be frustrating but there’s a good reason they happen now.

“It’s important these permanent works and resurfacing are carried out during warm, dry weather. The same work isn’t as effective in the colder, wetter months.”

“As always, while travelling, please drive to the conditions, and be aware of possible delays, temporary traffic management, and lower speeds in some places.

“Making sure road users and contractors remain safe at work sites is our top priority and that’s why it’s crucial motorists follow sign posted speed limits.

“The lower speeds are in place to protect drivers, onsite crews and people’s vehicles. Contractors make a point of regularly sweeping loose chip from work sites, but keeping to the sign posted speeds minimises the risk of damage from any loose chip that may remain. In addition to that, there are often new road layouts through work sites, and those lower speeds help people better navigate the change.

“By keeping up to date with our interactive Journey Planner, you can minimise your delays and make the most of your destination,” says Ms Dawson.

Current project sites on SH3 include:

• New Plymouth to Hāwera Safety Improvements Project
• Te Ara Tūtohu: Waitara to Bell Block Safety Improvements
• Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass

Current maintenance work sites on SH3 include:

• Tongapōrutu north of Hutiwai Road

  Crews continue work at Tongapōrutu, north of Hutiwai Road to complete guardrail and asphalt repairs. This work is expected to finish up on 2 November, weather permitting.

  This area of the network was damaged in November 2022 when heavy rainfall caused an under slip causing damage to the road. Crews have since reinstated the road by installing a retaining wall and rebuilding the road pavement last month.

  The site will be under stop/go traffic controls, with delays of approximately 5-10 minutes. Crews will be on site from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday.

• Rangikura between Nicholas Road South and Kokako Road

  Crews are working on pavement rehabilitation works at Rangikura between Nicholas South and Kokako Roads until mid-December. The work involves stabilising the existing pavement with cement and overlaying with new aggregate, before sealing to waterproof the road.

  Crews will be onsite 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday during these works. The site will be under stop/go traffic controls during the day, with delays of approximately 10-15 minutes.

• Tariki between Surrey and Rugby Road

  Crews are completing repairs at Tariki between Surrey and Rugby Roads until early December. Crews are first completing drainage repairs in the area before reconstructing the slow lane of the northbound passing lane.

  Traffic will continue to flow in both directions under a temporary speed limit of 30km/h. Crews will be onsite 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday during these works, with delays of approximately 5-10 minutes.

• Uruti, north of Mangamaio Road

  Crews are completing slip repairs at Uruti, north of Mangamaio Road until mid-to-late December. The work includes the installation of rock mesh protection to improve the safety and resilience of this slip-prone area of the network.

  Crews will be onsite from 6am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.  Stop/go traffic controls, with traffic being held in both directions at times (stop/stop), with delays of approximately 20-30 minutes for the duration of construction.   
   

• Tāngarākau Gorge, SH43

  Crews are sealing a 12 kilometre stretch of the Forgotten World Highway – SH43 through the gorge.

  From mid-October until mid-December, daily road closures will be placed through the gorge Monday – Friday between 9am and midday and 1pm and 3pm. The road will be open at midday so people can travel through.

Currently the impact on the State Highways is fairly moderate, but surface flooding has closed the road at Brophy’s beach just north of Whitianga.

Surface flooding at Brophy’s Beach 

Other areas of risk are:

• Hikuai – river levels are rising and it may flood in the usual area.
• Kauaeranga river levels are dropping from their peak this morning, but if that changes the spillway near the airfield in Thames may be activated and result in flooding.

The wet and windy weather is expected to ease from around 3pm today.

Road users are advised to drive to the conditions, slow down, watch their following distances and expect the situation could change at any time.

In addition to flooding response, Waka Kotahi contractors are in the area ready to take action should slips or downed trees eventuate.

Check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner for up to date information: journeys.nzta.govt.nz