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

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi System Manager for Manawatū-Whanganui and Taranaki, Liesl Dawson says crews will be out working in some areas and will do their best to make sure journeys are as smooth as possible this weekend.

“The safety of all road users is paramount. There will still be activity at some worksites during the weekend so please be patient, give yourself extra travel time and take regular breaks on long journeys.”

Makirikiri Stream Bridge resurfacing

One such work site is on State Highway 3 at Makirikiri Stream Bridge in Turakina. Crews there are resurfacing a section of road near the bridge and improving drainage.

Stop/Go traffic management and a reduced speed limit will be in place this Saturday (20 January) between 6am and 1pm while crews finish resurfacing. Motorists are advised to expect delays of up to 20 minutes as a result of this work. Temporary speed restrictions will remain in place until the road is swept and line marking completed on Monday night (22 January).

Speeding over a freshly sealed road can damage the new seal, lifting and flicking stones from the road that can, in turn, damage nearby vehicles or your own. Hot bitumen can also splash up and stick to your paintwork. To minimise the risk of damage to both vehicles and the new seal, it is crucial that road users adhere to all temporary speed restrictions in place.

SH56 Longburn

Immediately following the long weekend, on Tuesday (23 January) between 6am – 6pm, resealing works are planned for a stretch of State Highway 56 between Longburn and Palmerston North.

Stop/Go and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h will be in place. Crews will be working on three different sites on this stretch of road, and motorists are advised to expect delays up to 20 minutes.

Night work planned for SH1 at Utiku

Further north, crews will be getting ready for the start of night work on a stretch of State Highway 1 at Utiku, south of Taihape, from next Tuesday (23 January).

Two lanes will be kept open at the site but stop/go traffic management may be necessary at times. It’s important road users plan ahead by checking the NZTA interactive Journey Planner and drive to the conditions.

There won’t be work on site on Monday but over the weekend, the temporary speed restriction will be in place.

While the night works are underway, daytime work will also continue.

Contractors are building back a section of road, which has been excavated, with aggregate and geogrid stabilisation matting. It is expected that the night work will last for at least six weeks.

Safety on the road

The road renewal work will continue until March, making the most of the traditional summer season, with warmer temperatures.

“The crucial summer maintenance period is continuing. We can only undertake significant road renewals during the warmer, drier months of the year so motorists will experience some disruption, particularly if they’re driving long distances during the peak of summer,” says Ms Dawson.”

“When you’re out on the roads this weekend, make safe choices to protect yourself and others and please keep our roading crews safe. Drive to the speed limit, don’t drink and drive, make sure you’re rested, and plan ahead.”

“Due to the level of activity across the network we highly recommend checking the NZTA Journey Planner before starting your journey.”

Video: Roadworks 101 – keeping everyone safe around roadworks

Parts of the Wellington Urban Motorway will be closed between Ngauranga Interchange and The Terrace Tunnel. This will affect southbound traffic from Sunday, 11 February to Thursday, 15 February, and northbound traffic from Sunday, 18 February to Thursday, 29 February, weather permitting.

Roxanne Hilliard, Manager – Wellington Transport Alliance, says crews will lay over 2.7 lane kilometres of new asphalt in the north and southbound lanes, upgrade lane control signals and do other general maintenance work.

“Renewing the road surface makes the road more durable, safer, and helps reduce the amount of maintenance work needed.”

“While this work will disrupt night-time traffic, the investment helps prevent costlier and more disruptive repairs later. The short-term pain of these works will be more than offset by the long-term gains they will bring,” Ms Hilliard says.

The work will require motorway closures while it is underway.

Ms Hillard says it’s been deliberately timed to minimise disruption for drivers and will happen at night when traffic volumes are much lighter.

“Full closures reduce traffic management costs, are safer to drivers, provide safer working conditions for road crews, allow multiple jobs to be done simultaneously, and reduce the overall time the work will take.” 

“Doing it all at once means the job isn’t split over multiple weeks throughout the year. Commuters and affected residents only have to deal with the impact once rather than having to plan for multiple instances. It’s simpler, easier to manage, and creates fewer hassles for the public,” Ms Hilliard says.

She says local road detours will be available, but the closures and the detours will affect travel times. 

“We expect congestion on the detour routes, and drivers should allow extra time for their journeys. Residents, businesses in the affected area, and travellers with airport connections need to be especially aware,” Ms Hilliard says.

People who live between The Terrace and Bowen Street in the city and close to the urban motorway can expect to hear noise at night as heavy machinery will be operating. The intention is for road crews to carry out the noisiest works (eg road milling) at the start of the night to minimise noise disturbances as much as possible.

Works schedule and detour routes

Traffic Management set-up and lane closures will begin at 7 pm. Work will start at 9 pm each shift when the highway is closed. This will affect drivers as there will be congestion on the urban motorway from 7 pm.

Southbound only:

• Sunday night, 11 February, 9 pm – 4 am
  • SH1 and SH2 closed to southbound traffic between the Ngauranga interchange and the Terrace Tunnel.
  • Southbound traffic must detour down Hutt Road.
  • Northbound traffic can travel as normal along the urban motorway.

• Monday, 12 February to Thursday, 15 February, 9 pm – 4 am
  • SH1 closed to southbound traffic between south of the Aotea Quay off-ramp and The Terrace Tunnel.
  • Southbound traffic can detour down Hutt Road or exit the motorway at Aotea Quay.
  • Northbound traffic can travel as normal along the urban motorway.

Northbound only:

• Sunday 18 February to Thursday 29 February, 9 pm – 4am
  • SH1 closed to northbound traffic at various locations between The Terrace Tunnel and the Aotea Quay on-ramp.
  • The official detour for northbound traffic will be available on the WTA website next week
  • Southbound traffic can travel as normal along the urban motorway

Project facts and figures

Work crews will:

• Mill and pave approximately 2.7 kilometres of new asphalt on the urban motorway between the Terrace Tunnel and the Ngauranga Interchange. 928 m southbound and 1,863 m northbound.
• We will also upgrade 33 lane control digital signs in both the north and southbound lanes.  These will provide better visibility to commuters.
• Carry out other general maintenance work. This includes clearing vegetation, landscaping, removing graffiti, clearing drains, road sweeping, and replacing line markings.

More information on this project and other Wellington roadworks can be found on our website:

• SH1 Wellington urban motorway works
• Wellington Transport Alliance

Works on this section of highway are being done in two parts.

Widening works

A shoulder area is being created to allow vehicles to safely pass the worksite during the under-slip repairs, and to complete drainage.

This will start on Monday 22 January and will be completed by Sunday 28 January, weather depending.

During this time there will be stop/go traffic management in place between 7am and 5pm.

There is no suitable detour available.

The road will re-open in both directions at 5pm, with a shoulder closure in place.

Under-slip repair works

Under-slip repair works will then start from 7 February, and will be completed by 29 February, weather depending.

During this time there will be stop/go traffic management in place 24 hours a day.

To allow machinery to move to the site, there may also be stop/stop traffic management between 7am and 5pm, with delays up to 30 minutes.

There is no suitable detour available.

The NZTA Journey Planner will have the latest information for this site, and all other roadworks and road hazards that may affect your journey.

journeys.nzta.govt.nz

“Road users should expect to see several active sites over the coming weeks with resurfacing taking place alongside ongoing project works. Delays are to be expected, particularly as roads get busier with people returning to work and school,” says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Acting Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations, Roger Brady.

Reseal sites are weather dependent and programmed to get underway 22 January 2024. Night works will start at the Wairoa bridge and then continue through to Katikati. Following this, day works will start from the Athenree rest area and work back towards Katikati at various sites. People should expect reduced speed limits during in the days following work at each site.

Reseal works are being coordinated with the Waihī to Ōmokoroa project team, who have commenced shoulder widening at Athenree Gorge. South of Katikati, the project team are tracking well towards the completion of the SH2 / Sharp Road roundabout, marking the fourth of the six roundabouts completed ahead of the installation of flexible median barrier. There is significant activity on the southbound lanes at this site, with speed restrictions in place, and intermittent stop/go traffic management which may cause longer delays.

The Takitimu North Link project has enjoyed the dry start to January, getting stuck into earthworks with a target of 700,000m3 this season. Key sites are at SH2 near Loop Road (Te Puna), Minden Road, Te Mete Valley, Wairoa Road and Cambridge Road, Bethlehem, where major works are underway.

“The closure of a section of Moffat Road came into effect on 9 January and will be in place until April. When there are significant traffic management changes like this, we normally expect a heightened period of disruption over a few weeks as people experience it and adjust their journeys. We anticipate the return to school will be a particularly busy time with increased traffic volumes around school runs.

“Thank you for your patience while this important work takes place,” Roger Brady says.

View larger map of  Waihī to Tauranga corridor summer worksites 2024

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

• Takitimu North Link Stage One: Earthworks are underway across a number of sites. On Wairoa Road, stop/go traffic management will be in place while trucks are crossing Wairoa Road, and 30km/h speed limits will be in place at all times within the construction area. Work in this area will become more evident as we work towards completing the Wairoa Road bridge in preparation of its opening. Minden Road has a 30km/h speed limit throughout the construction zone. A temporary haul road into the Te Mete Valley is operational to support the summer earthworks season. The single-lane haul road is separated from SH2. Road users should be aware of the new road layout and temporary speed limit of 60km/h on SH2 alongside the haul road. More information

• Cambridge/Moffat Roads: Construction work to complete the new Cambridge Road Overbridge, between Bethlehem and Tauriko continues. Until April 2024, major works require a full closure of a section of Moffat Road between Tauranga Adventist School and Cambridge Road (East). This is disruptive, there are local alternative routes for light vehicles, and heavy trucks can use SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road. More information

• SH2 Bay Link: People travelling between Baypark and Bayfair will continue to see several road and lane closures at night. From Sunday 21 January to Thursday 25 January, road closures will apply on SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link and SH2/Maunganui Road between approximately 7pm and 6am each night. In addition, on Sunday 21 January and Monday 22 January (from approximately 7pm to 6am each night) the SH2 Hewletts Road flyover will be fully closed in both directions to allow for the installation of flexible median safety barriers. A detour via the Golf Road roundabout will apply. Once installation of the barriers gets underway, vehicles will not be able to cross SH2/Maunganui Road between Spur Ave and the Bayfair flyover. Closures will vary night to night, depending on site requirements and progress, and people are asked to allow extra time, follow signposted detours and drive with caution through the project site. To minimise impact, works are undertaken at night where possible. More information

• SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road (TDTR): A reduced speed limit of 80km/h is in place while Takitimu North Link crews are working behind the barriers.

• SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR) Shared Path: The shared path alongside SH2 is diverted until May 2024. Over the coming months there will be an increase in heavy plant and machinery in the area. The safety of crew and the public is a priority, and the best way to ensure the safety of all parties is to temporarily close the shared path to cyclists and pedestrians. An alternative option for path users is available via Kaituna Road and Te Tumu Road.

• SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): The TELTR will close between 8pm and 6am each night for 2 nights in both directions starting Monday 19 February to allow for the installation of the watermain to the underneath of the Rangiuru Bridge. A detour will be available via the Te Puke Highway. More information

  The Quayside Properties Ltd led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues. Temporary barriers will be in place until approximately June 2024, with one lane available in either direction. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h applies through the site. More information

• SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR) Event: The eastbound lanes between Domain Road (Pāpāmoa) and Paengaroa will be closed between 5.30am and 1pm on Saturday 20 January as part of the cycle route for the Tauranga Half Ironman, which is part of the Mount Festival of Multisport. The alternative route for people driving eastbound during this time will be via Te Puke Highway. Westbound lanes will remain open. More information

Western Bay of Plenty

• SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Roundabout construction is underway at Sharp Road with significant activity on the northbound lanes with speed restrictions, there will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays. A speed limit of 50km/h will be in place. In the Athenree Gorge, near Athenree Road, shoulder widening has started and there will be lane shifts in place with speed restrictions. More information

• Western tie-in (near Loop Road): Construction continues at the western tie-in of the Takitimu North Link project where utilities need to be moved. SH2 will be reduced to 50km/h in the area during this work, and the passing lane heading west will be removed to allow the crews to work on the side of the road.

• SH2 Bethlehem to Athenree: Resealing will start in the coming weeks at a number of locations on SH2 between Waihī and Bethlehem. Night works will start at the Wairoa Bridge and then continue through to Katikati, delays are expected. Day works will then start on the Athenree rest area and work back towards Woodland Road.

• SH2 Te Puke Highway to Otamarakau: Side barrier and guardrail installation will start on 22 January until 30 January. There will be stop/go traffic management between 6am and 7pm during this time. Detours are not required for these works.

Rotorua

• SH5 Ngongotahā: Chipsealing will start between Western Road and the Ngongotahā roundabout from Wednesday 24 January to Tuesday 30 January. Crews will be operating between 9am and 4pm daily. A southbound road closure will be in place on SH5 between Western Road and Ngongotahā roundabout during each workday.  Temporary traffic management and a reduced speed limit will be in place. A detour will be available to southbound traffic on SH5 to Western Road then SH36 and then to the SH5/36 Ngongotahā Roundabout.  HPMV Vehicles travelling south should detour through SH1 Tīrau onto SH30 and SH5.

• SH36 Kaharoa: Road rehabilitation has started between Kaharoa Road and Te Waerenga Road. The work will continue between the hours of 7am and 5pm each day until Friday 2 February, with traffic management and speed restrictions in place. People should expect moderate delays.

• SH5 Rotorua: Due to water main upgrades, lane closures will be in place between Malfroy and Devon Streets until Wednesday 31 January. Minor delays are expected.

• SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage One: Nighttime line marking will be underway from Sala Street to Iles Road from 7pm Monday 15 January to 5am Friday 26 January. This will include limit lines, fire hydrant/valve markings along the road and through the intersection. Temporary traffic management will be in place including short-term lane closures, road closures, shoulder closures and temporary speed restrictions while the work is undertaken and drying. We expect this work to take 2 weeks, weather dependent.

• SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: There are multiple active worksites on SH30/Te Ngae Road between Iles Road and Ōwhata Road. In places there is stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures, temporary pedestrian crossings, footpath closures, and/or reduced speed limits. Minor traffic delays are expected. Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information

• SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Work on SH33 safety improvements is underway with contractors working along this section of highway. Work includes road widening, installing safety barriers, improving drainage and rehabilitation works. Temporary traffic management will be in place including stop/go, lane shifts, shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. Minor traffic delays are expected. More information

Eastern Bay of Plenty

• SH2 Pekatahi Bridge: Pekatahi Bridge, located north of Tāneatua on SH2, will close daily for maintenance from Monday 22 January 2024 for 4 – 5 days. Closures will take place daily between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Thursday, to allow contractors to replace a section of handrail and repair broken and loose decking planks. The closure may be extended to Friday morning between 8.30am and 12pm (midday) if required, to finish the work. A detour will be in place for northbound traffic, using Tāneatua Road, Arawa Road, Hinemoa Street and onto SH30 towards Awakeri. Southbound traffic should use the same route, in reverse. This detour is expected to add up to 20 minutes to journey times and is suitable for all vehicles, including High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMV).

• SH2 Manganuku Bridge, Waioeka Gorge: A reduced speed limit of 30km/h for heavy vehicles will remain in place until further notice. Heavy vehicles must adhere to the speed limit as those travelling at higher speeds will exert greater loads on the structure, which currently poses a significant risk.

Manawatū-Whanganui

• SH1 Utiku: The site is being actively monitored, and an altered road layout with various traffic management and a 30km/h temporary speed restriction is in place.

• SH4 Te Oreore slip: Following a slip in 2019, a temporary road is in place at Te Oreore, with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place. Construction of 3 new retaining walls north of the main slip area are ongoing.

Waikato

East Waikato

• SH2 Karangahake Gorge: Through the gorge the 600m section between Crown Hill Road and School Road has had its speed reduced temporarily from 80km/h to 50km/h. This section of the highway includes the entrance to the Karangahake Reserve, which is the starting point for many of the popular walks in the historic gorge. The temporary speed limit will be in place until after Waitangi Day. More information

• SH25 – Coromandel: Recovery works are ongoing at a number of sites across the peninsula, with temporary traffic management in place. This currently includes works to stabilise the large slip sites at Ruamahunga Bay, Pumpkin Hill, and Wharekaro. The road will be reduced to a single lane under stop/go traffic management with stop/stop traffic management as required.

• SH24 Te Poi: Road rehabilitation work started on Monday 15 January between Te Poi Road and Stopford Road on SH24. The work is expected to take 2 weeks to complete, with road closures in place during the day and the road reopening at night from 7pm through to 6am. There will be a detour in place via SH29, Te Poi Road and SH24.

• SH26 Morrinsville: Due to asphalt resurfacing, there will be a full road closure from Sunday 14 January to Friday 26 January (opening at 5pm) between Thames Street and Allen Street. The closure will be in place 24 hours a day, during this time a detour will be available for eastbound road users via SH26, Avenue North, Snell Street, Studholme Street, Coronation Road and Seales Road and westbound via SH26, Roaches Road, Kereone Road, Walton Road and Studholme road. The road will be open to residents, Fonterra tankers and HPMV’s travelling westbound through the worksite.

• SH25 Otakeao Stream Bridge: A routine bridge inspection will be undertaken on Tuesday 30 January, from 5am – 7am. To allow the crews to inspect the bridge safely, there will be a single lane closure and stop/go traffic management will be in place. This is expected to only cause minor delays.

• SH26 Waihou River Bridge: A routine bridge inspection will be undertaken on Sunday 4 February, from 8pm – 12am (midnight). To allow the crews to inspect the bridge safely, there will be a single lane closure and stop/go traffic management will be in place. This is expected to only cause minor delays.

• SH26 Ohinemuri River Bridge: A routine bridge inspection will be undertaken on Monday 5 February, from 1am – 5am. To allow the crews to inspect the bridge safely, there will be a single lane closure and stop/go traffic management will be in place. This is expected to only cause minor delays.

Central Waikato

• SH1 Lichfield: The northbound slow lane near Puriri Road is closed until further notice, while investigations take place into repair options.

• SH1 Ātiamuri: Road widening is under way for safety barrier installation along a 6.9km section of SH1, from the Waikato River Bridge south to Thorpe Road. Work is behind temporary safety barriers and there is a 50km/h speed restriction. From 22-26 January there will be stop/go operating 6am-6pm at a narrow section where safety barriers cannot be used. Expect delays of up to 5 minutes. From 30 January the stop-go will be 24/7 until approximately 9 March. Light vehicles can use Oruanui Road-Forest Road-Tirohanga Road and vice versa as an alternative route to avoid delays on SH1.

• SH1 Maroa Road: The 4.8km site is currently operating at 100km/h until finishing works for the safety barrier installation resume at the end of January under speed restrictions and stop/go traffic management.

• SH1 East Taupo Arterial: Road widening and flexible safety barrier installation for 5km from Napier Road to the airport roundabout begins on Monday 15 January. Speed restrictions will be in place with completion expected to be mid-2024. More information

• SH5 Wairakei: Road rehabilitation near Dick’s Hill and Palmer Mill Road will occur in two stages from 19 January:

• Dick’s Hill: Runs from 19 January until 16 February. Work will take place from Monday to Saturday between 6am and 6pm with stop/go traffic management will be in place with temporary speed limits. Outside of these hours both lanes will be open with reduced speed limits.

• Palmer Mill Road: Will start on Monday 19 February and run until 15 March. Work will take place from Monday to Saturday between 6am and 6pm with stop/go traffic management will be in place with temporary speed limits. Outside of these hours both lanes will be open with reduced speed limits.

• SH41 Tokaanu: Due to a washout, the road is down to one lane under temporary traffic lights, with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction in place.

• SH1 Halletts Bay: Upcoming roadworks on SH1 near Halletts Bay, between Taupō and Tūrangi, is scheduled for Tuesday 30 January to Saturday 3 February, weather dependent. Stop/go traffic management will be in place at the worksite between 7am-9am and 2.30pm-7pm each workday, with the road closed between 9am and 2.30pm on these days. As the worksite is located at a narrow section of road, there is not room for both machinery and vehicles side by side. The only option is to close the road for periods of time to complete the work. A detour will be in place: North to Taupō via SH41, SH32 and Poihipi Road. North to Rotorua via SH41, SH32, SH30. North to Hamilton via SH41, SH32. And vice versa. More information

• SH4 Makatote: Road rehabilitation continues at the Makatote Viaduct between National Park and Tohunga Junction. This work is expected to take 2 weeks to complete. There will be road closures between 8am and 4.30pm between Tuesday 23 January to Thursday 25 January, weather dependent. When the road is closed a detour will be in place via SH49, SH1, SH46 and SH47, back to SH4 and vice versa. This detour will potentially add 1.5 hours to journey times. Intermittent stop/go will be in place between the hours of 6am and 6pm Monday to Saturday. More information

West Waikato

• SH1 Waikato Expressway – Ngāruawāhia section: Safety improvements and remedial works have resumed, and night-time detours are planned, as work continues to bring the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway up to 110km/h standard. There is a block of closures, Sunday to Thursday each week, running from 14 January to early February. There will be detours in place, 7pm-5am each night, on the following dates:
  Northbound: January 14 to 18, Southbound: January 21 to 25, Southbound: January 30 to Feb 1, and Northbound: February 4, 6, 7 and 8.

  The detours are different for each direction due to roadworks in Ngāruawāhia town which prevent southbound highway traffic using this route as a detour. The northbound detour takes SH1 traffic via Ngāruawāhia on the old highway between Horotiu and Gordonton Road interchanges. HPMVs must use SH1B, and overweight vehicles need to use SH2/27, under an existing overweight permit. Southbound detour traffic will use SH1B, re-joining SH1 via Lake Road, however heavy vehicles (50 tonnes and above) must continue on SH1B, including the local road detour around Telephone Road, and connect to SH1 again at Cambridge or via SH26 into Hamilton. More information

• SH1/SH29 Piarere Intersection: Work on the SH1/SH29 Piarere Roundabout has started with enabling works. This will require alternating shoulder closures on SH1/SH29 with no delays to traffic. We expect this work to take up to 2 weeks. More information

• SH1 Karāpiro (Keeley’s Reserve): The bulk of the work has wrapped up on the turnaround bay at Keeley’s Reserve in Karāpiro. The reserve has reopened to the public and the turnaround bay can be used. Due to a nationwide shortage, the streetlighting system is yet to be installed, this will be completed in February 2024. More information

• SH 1 Karāpiro: Work is underway on a section of SH1 between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road in preparation for median barrier being installed in early 2024. The main construction work involves 1.5km of shoulder widening, temporary barrier installation, earthworks and pavement construction, followed by surfacing, lighting and permanent barrier installation. During the majority of the construction the slow lane of the southbound passing lane between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road will be closed, and the worksite will be under a temporary speed limit of 50km/h. Access in and out of Kentucky Road will remain open. Construction is expected to be finished by late June 2024.

• SH1 Karāpiro (Gorton Road): The construction of turnaround bays at Tunakawa Road and Gorton Road will get underway later this month. Work will begin at Gorton Road on Monday 22 January 2024, followed by Tunakawa Road approximately 5 weeks later. While construction crews are onsite, there will be no right turn onto Gorton Road (Monday to Friday, 24/7). This means that southbound traffic wanting to access Gorton Road will need to travel to the new turnaround bay at Keely’s Reserve to change direction. This will add around 4-6 minutes to your journey. The right turn in will reopen during the weekends and on public holidays. The left turn onto Gorton Road and left and right turn onto SH1 will remain for the duration of construction, with a stop sign rule applied. There will be periods of stop/go nightworks and one full night closure (12.30am – 6am) of the Gorton Road intersection, otherwise access will remain for residents/road users. The impact on SH1 traffic is expected to be minor delays as there will be speed restrictions in place. The speed will be reduced to 30km/h through the intersection, as well as 400m northbound on SH1 and 700m southbound on SH1, while construction crews are onsite (7am – 6pm, Monday to Friday). Work on both turnarounds is expected to be completed by mid-April, after which the installation of flexible median barrier from Tunakawa Road to Fergusson Gully Road can begin.

• SH3 Ōhaupō: The Waipā District Council led Ōhaupō village pedestrian safety improvements are underway and are expected to be complete by late February. During this time lane shifts and stop/go traffic management will be in place, along with temporary speed limits.

• SH30 Te Kūiti: Due to a slip, priority give-way is in place near Mangaokewa Road, motorists are advised to proceed with caution.

• SH30 Kōpaki: Preparation for under-slip repairs will being on SH30 south of Kōpaki on 22 January, with work to create a shoulder area to allow vehicles to safely pass the worksite. Works are expected to last for a week, and there will be stop/go traffic management in place between 7am and 5pm. During this time, there may be delays of up to 20mins. The road will re-open in both directions at 5pm with a shoulder closure in place. Further work to repair the under-slip itself, will begin on 7 February and is expected to be completed by the end of February.

Taranaki

• SH3 Awakino: Final surfacing continues. Stop/go traffic management will be in place, with delays of up to 15 minutes expected. Work is expected to be complete by the end of March 2024.

• SH3 Uruti: Rock mesh slip protection work north of Mangamaio Road continues. Stop/go and stop/stop traffic management will be in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, along with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction. Delays of up to 30 minutes are expected.

• SH3 Te Ara Tutohu Waitara to Bell Block: Due to ongoing safety improvement work SH3 is closed between Nelson Street and Bayly Street until 2 February 2024. The road is closed to both lanes of traffic at all times, with a detour in place through Waitara. More information

For up to 48 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.

The above information is accurate at the time of release. Many of the above works are dependent on a number of factors, particularly weather, and may be postponed at short notice. For up-to-date information on road works, traffic, detours and delays, motorists are encouraged to visit the NZTA Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz).

NZTA thanks motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work to keep the state highway network safe, accessible and resilient.

Road widening is under way for flexible median barrier installation along a 6.9km section of SH1 – from the Waikato River Bridge south to Thorpe Road.

Work is currently only behind temporary steel barriers and there is a 50km/h speed restriction. However, from Monday to Friday next week, 22–26 January, there will be stop/go operating 6am-6pm at a narrow section where temporary barriers cannot be used. Expect delays of up to 5 minutes.

From 30 January the stop-go will be in place 24/7 until approximately 9 March.

Light vehicles can use Oruanui Road-Forest Road-Tirohanga Road and vice versa as an alternative route to avoid delays on SH1.

Further south some remedial work and pre-seal repairs will resume by the end of this month at the section between Maroa Road and Tram Road where median barriers have been installed.

There will be 24/7 stop/go operation when remedial work resumes, with an expected finished date of mid-February being weather dependent.

These two sites for safety upgrades at Ātiamuri are part of the wider SH1 Piarere to Taupō safely improvements project.

SH1 Piarere to Taupō – safe roads and roadsides

Flexible safety barriers are installed down the middle of a road to prevent head-on collisions, or along the side of the road to help stop run-off-road crashes. These barriers catch vehicles before they hit something harder, like a pole, tree or oncoming car.

The Metservice has issued a heavy rain watch for Tasman, about and west of Motueka. Periods of heavy rain are forecast.

The weather will affect State Highway 60 in Tākaka and Golden Bay, as well as State Highway 6 around Buller and Murchison.

Road users should drive to the conditions and be prepared for localised flooding and slips.

Watch your following distances, avoid heavy braking on wet roads, and use your headlights during the day if visibility is poor.

Drivers should check weather and road conditions before they travel as bad weather can see roads closed at short notice.

Metservice weather warnings

Highway Conditions – Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough

 

Wellington Transport Alliance crews will be on the job for two weeks from Tuesday, 23 January through to Wednesday, 7 February.

They will install scaffolding on the bridge, allowing work crews to perform maintenance and repairs. Bearings on the bridge have been corroding and need to be replaced. This will make the bridge safer for all road users.

State Highway 53 will be closed to all traffic between Camp Road and No 1 Line on weekdays (Mon-Fri) from 7 am to 5 pm. The highway will be open to traffic at night, on weekends, and on the Waitangi Day (6 February) public holiday.

For safety reasons, vehicles cannot use the bridge while the scaffolding is installed. However, the full closure will allow the work to be completed faster.

Local road detours are available via Camp Road and No 1 Line. Camp Road is unsuitable for heavy vehicles, and freight operators should detour via State Highway 2 and No. 1 Line at Tauwharenīkau.

The detour will create longer traffic times, and drivers may experience queues turning on and off State Highway 2. Road users should factor this into their travel plans and allow extra time for their journeys.

NZTA/Waka Kotahi appreciates this work will create disruptions and delays for residents and road users. However, this is essential maintenance work on an important state highway link. We appreciate your patience and cooperation while this work is completed.

Further work on the bridge is planned in February and March. Work crews will replace the bridge’s bearings. The bridge and State Highway 53 will be open to traffic while this work is done. Further updates will be provided before the next phase of work begins.

Works schedule

• Tuesday, 22 January to Wednesday 7 February. Weekdays (Mon-Fri), 7 am to 5 pm.
• SH53 will be closed between Camp Road and No 1 Line
• SH53 will be open at night, on weekends, and during the Wellington Anniversary and Waitangi Day public holidays.
• Property access will be available for affected residents in the closure area.

Detour route

• Local road detours are available via Camp Road and No. 1 Line.
• Camp Road is not suitable for heavy vehicles. Truck drivers must detour via SH2 and No 1 Line. 

View larger printable map of  SH3 Tauwharenikau Bridge work area and detour map

Forecast rainfall totals in the region are significant, and may impact parts of the state highway network, including the possibility of surface flooding and debris on road surfaces.  

NZTA is monitoring the conditions closely and receiving regular updates from MetService. Given the severity of the forecast weather it may be necessary to close sections of the state highway network overnight on Friday due to the possibility of unsafe driving conditions.  

We encourage people to keep a close eye on the weather forecast and road conditions before starting any journeys in the region.  

Please check our on-line Journey Planner at www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz for the latest up to date road conditions, including any delays or road closures. 

The latest information on weather warnings and watches can be found at https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home