Category: New Zealand Transport Agency

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

New resilience work is underway this week at Utiku south of Taihape, on land between State Highway 1 and the railway corridor.

Work has now begun onsite and is expected to continue for at least four months.

During the work, crews will install new drainage in the area to boost the resilience of SH1 through this area and reduce risk to the road, which has been affected for many decades by a large, slow-moving landslide.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Project Manager Gareth Howie says drainage is critical to any project, but drainage for this project is particularly crucial as it will redirect water away from the hillside, road and railway elsewhere in the existing stormwater system.

“This work, to redirect the water from the hillside and improve drainage, will boost the safety and reliability of the state highway and ultimately the efficiency of travel for all road users, hopefully minimising disruptions in future,” says Mr Howie.

In August 2023, cracks in the road meant emergency repair work needed to be undertaken, in addition to the installation of monitoring.

Over the next four months, NZTA is planning to install up to 3 incline drains (drains running up the hill) at the site, subject to approvals, which will reduce risk to the main trunk railway line as well as SH1.

Each drain will consist of four ‘fans’. At each of the fan locations in the drain, groundwater will be intercepted and will flow through the drain and be redirected.

“Water will be directed through the slotted drains from the upper levels into one exit point at the base of the drain, then filtered through the open swales, down into the culvert system and into existing culverts and then down to the Hautapu River, which is the direction the water is trying to take naturally,” says Mr Howie.

“We are working with mana whenua to ensure that water discharged from the drains remains in the same catchment, and effects on the Hautapu River, wetlands and watercourses are minimised as much as possible.”

Each drain will take up to four months to install and NZTA will monitor the effectiveness of each one before moving on to install the next. There will be minimal impact to road users as a result of these works.

Other work at the site this construction season to ensure a more resilient and safer road includes the felling of trees overhanging the road, and application of a second coat seal on the road following the 2023 emergency works.

This work is likely to involve some traffic management.

NZTA is also planning to install more instrumentation in the area to enhance monitoring with real time capability for response.

We will keep people updated as these works progress.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

A reminder, starting next week, our roading crews will begin essential road rebuilding work at key sites of SH1 between Whangārei and Ruakākā.

Additionally, there will be overnight closures for the resurfacing of SH1 Te Kamo Bypass/Kamo Intersection. Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journey as our roading crews work to improve the highway.

SH1 Te Kamo Bypass/Kamo Intersection – Night works

From Sunday 12 January crews will be resurfacing a stretch of SH1 at Te Kamo Bypass.

The road will be closed between 8pm and 5am, Sunday to Thursday. The work is expected to finish the following Monday 20 January.

A detour (for light vehicles) will be available via Kamo township. High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMV) will be grouped together and guided through the worksite.

During the day, the road will operate with reduced speed limits in place.

Following the work at Te Kamo Bypass, crews will then resurface the SH1 / Kamo Road intersection, working overnight between 8pm and 5am on Tuesday 21 January, Wednesday 22 January, Thursday 23 January and again on Tuesday 28 January.

During this work, a temporary speed limit will be in place, in addition to lane closures and stop/go traffic management. There will also be a detour in place via Percy Street, Kensington Ave, Great North Road and Kamo township.

HPMV will be grouped and escorted through the worksite.

State Highway 1, Whangārei to Ruakākā

From Monday 13 January contractors will begin rebuilding the northbound left lane on SH1, between Hewlett Road and Salmon Road.

This work will take place during the day; however, the passing lane will remain closed for the duration of the works, with a 50km/h temporary speed limit in place 24/7.

Traffic flow will be maintained in both directions, except for brief periods of stop/go to allow contractors to shift equipment or set-up and pack-down the site.

Work is expected to be complete by Friday 31 January.

Alternative northbound passing lanes are located between Puwera and Oakleigh (slightly north of Oakleigh) and north of Ruakākā (just north of Prescott Road).

From Monday 27 January, contractors will be rebuilding the southbound left lane on SH1, between Flyger Road and Prescott Road.

The work will initially be untaken during the day and is expected to take 2 and a half weeks before crews then undertake 1 and a half weeks of overnight work.

The passing lane will remain closed for the duration of the works, with a 50km/h temporary speed limit in place 24/7.

During the day works, traffic flow will be maintained in both directions, except for brief periods of stop/go to allow contractors to shift equipment or set-up and pack-down the site.

During night works, the road will operate under stop/go traffic management.

Alternative southbound passing lanes are located between Puwera and Oakleigh (slightly south of Puwera) and between Oakleigh and Mata (near Totara Road).

2024/25 summer maintenance season

Rebuilding the road, which often involves replacing all or most of the structural road layers, improves the longevity of the network, the resilience and ultimately the safety and efficiency for all road users.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi acknowledges this work will be disruptive for some road users and appreciates people’s patience while this strengthening work is carried out to make the road more resilient.

This summer, roadworkers are out across the region making improvements. Expect delays and allow extra time before you travel. Road workers are out in all weather and do their best to keep everyone moving. Be tolerant and respectful of all crew members and follow any instructions on site. They’re helping to keep you safe.

Work is weather dependent and there may be changes to the planned works in the case of unsuitable weather. Please visit the NZTA Journey Planner website for up-to-date information on these works, including any changes due to weather.

Journey Planner(external link)

For more information about the overall maintenance programme and planned works, visit the Northland State Highway Maintenance Programme website:

Northland state highway maintenance programme(external link)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA’s) highway maintenance crews are getting back into road repair and re-surfacing work this month and next across the central South Island – Canterbury and the West Coast regions.

All drivers need to be factoring additional time into their journeys and checking the Traffic and Travel maps before heading off so they are not surprised by a 20 or 30 minute delay, says NZTA’s Senior Network Manager for Canterbury Sagar Pandey.

A complicating factor this summer is the lack of summer temperatures and addition of rain in Canterbury, so drivers should also check that the planned works have not been postponed at short notice.

“In some cases we know people might travel through more than one road resurfacing project on a long journey, so adding an hour to the time expected and lowering your expectations around the time required is a good idea,” says Mr Pandey.

“We encourage people to drive safely and keep stress levels down on the highway – avoid tail-gating, take breaks. If you are following a truck, a caravan or trailer with a boat or a slower vehicle, take it easy, arrive safe.”

NZTA thanks everyone for slowing around our crews and traffic managers, taking a break along the way, and building in the extra time.

North Canterbury

Porters Pass, SH73, key route between West Coast and Canterbury: There is resurfacing work underway between Springfield and Castle Hill, the Kowai River Bridge No 2 to the Porter River Bridge starting this week (7 January) through to Wednesday, 22 January, 7 am to 6 pm.  The daytime work will involve ten-minute delays in both directions, managed with traffic signals.

• Three nights of full closure next week:  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, 13 – 15 January, weather and temperature dependent, the highway will fully close in both directions overnight 9 pm to 5.30 am with a traffic clearance between midnight and 1 am.  If it is wet, Thursday 16 January is a contingency night.

Lewis Pass route between the West Coast and Canterbury overnight closures: SH7 Handyside Stream area west of the Hanmer Springs turnoff is being resurfaced.

Six nights full closure from next week: There will be around six nights of full closure from Thursday, 16 January to Wednesday 22 January, weather and temperature dependent. Traffic will be stopped from 9 pm to 5.30 am with a clearance hour using Stop/Go between midnight and 1am.

Lewis Pass route between the West Coast and Canterbury overnight closures: SH7 Weka Pass, south of Waikari is being resurfaced from Tuesday, 21 January to Friday, 24 January, also weather and temperature dependent.

As for the other sites above, there will be a full traffic closure 9 pm to 5.30 am with a midnight traffic clearance midnight to 1 am using Stop/Go.  Check our map before you set out.

Detour for Weka Pass site for traffic under 46 tonnes: There is a detour around this site for vehicles weighing less than 46 tonnes via SH1 and Scargill Valley Road.

Emergency vehicles, the midnight envelope

During these SH7 and SH73 closures, emergency vehicles will be accommodated as quickly as possible at all times. NZTA thanks all regular night travellers for planning around the midnight to 1 am closures on these key routes.

It is possible the closure times could extend to earlier in the evening (eg 6 pm), managed with Stop/Go.

West Coast Region

SH6, South Westland, Epitaph underslip and rift area north of Haast: Rockfall prevention work restarts from Monday, 13 January and is expected to continue through to March, 2025.

From 13 January, the road will again be closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 12.30 and 4pm for rock clearing using explosives.

SH73, the Arthur’s Pass route: From Wednesday, 15 January to Tuesday, 30 January, crews will be repairing joints on the Otira Viaduct with a long work site managed by Stop/Go daytimes. Please build in an extra 20 minutes to your journeys, says Mr Pandey.

Night-time projects Mid and South Canterbury

Please check the traffic and travel map on the day for changes to these schedules, given many of these projects are weather and temperature dependent.

Journey Planner(external link)

SH1/SH79 Mid Canterbury, Rangitata intersection: Road resurfacing from Saturday 25 January to Thursday, 30 January. Up to 30-minute delays managed with Stop/Go.

SH1 Mid Canterbury, Hinds River Bridge: Asphaltic concrete resurfacing with up to three hour night closures, 9-10 March, Sunday and Monday. More details coming closer to dates.

SH1 Mid Canterbury, Rangitata Bridge: Asphaltic concrete resurfacing with up to three-hour night closures, 11-14 March, Tuesday to Friday. More details closer to the dates.

SH1 South Canterbury, Winchester Level Rail Crossing:  Asphaltic concrete resurfacing both approaches to the Winchester Rail Crossing 20 and 21 January, Monday and Tuesday.  SH1 closed at the rail crossing with local road detours, 6pm to 6am each night.  Detours will add around 20 minutes to travel times.

SH8 South Canterbury, Fairlie Township:  Asphaltic concrete resurfacing through the township on SH8 and SH79 24 – 31 January, Friday to Friday.  Night-time Stop/Go and delays of up to 20 minutes to be expected 7pm to 6am.   

Daytime projects Mid and South Canterbury

SH1 Mid Canterbury, Rakaia to Timaru: Resealing multiple sites from Friday, 24 January. Drivers can expect Stop/Go during daytime hours and delays of up to 40 minutes through to the end of January.

SH1 Mid Canterbury, Rangitata Bridge: Daytime delays of up to 20 minutes continue for bridge piling works.  Bridge closure over one night planned for March to cut old piles from the bridge, opening times every hour. More information will be provided closer to the date.

SH82 South Canterbury’s Waimate Gorge, to end of March: Drivers and traffic will be managed with temporary traffic lights 24/7 and a 30km/h speed limit from this week (6 January) to the end of March through this road reconstruction site. People should build in 20 minutes extra time while this work is underway.

SH8 South Canterbury, Coal Stream Fairlie, to end of April: Work continues on two more road reconstruction sites between Albury and Fairlie with 24/7 temporary traffic lights and delays of up to 20 minutes through to the end of April.

SH1 Timaru Showgrounds site, Bridge Road/Jellicoe St: Timaru District Council is replacing a water main pipe with lanes likely to be closed and traffic management, potentially from the end of January for around two months. More details to come.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises of the following closures for motorway improvements. Work delayed by bad weather will be completed at the next available date, prior to Friday, 17 January 2025.

Please note this Traffic Bulletin is updated every Friday.

Daily updated closure information(external link)

Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am. Traffic management may be in place before the advertised closure times for the mainline.

NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

• Southbound lanes between Constellation Drive off-ramp and Northcote Road on-ramp, 16 January (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Constellation Drive southbound on-ramp, 16 January
  • Tristram Avenue southbound on-ramp, 16 January
• Northbound lanes between Northcote Road off-ramp and Tristram Avenue on-ramp, 12 January (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Northcote Road northbound on-ramp, 12 January (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)
• Esmonde Road (Loop) northbound on-ramp, 14-16 January
• Onewa Road southbound off-ramp, 13 January
• Onewa Road northbound on-ramp, 13 January
• Onewa Road southbound on-ramp, 13 & 16 January
• Shelly Beach Road southbound off-ramp, 16 January

CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)

• Fanshawe Street southbound off-ramp, 16 January
• Southbound lanes between Fanshawe Street off-ramp and Greenlane on-ramp, 14-15 January (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • SH1 southbound to SH16 eastbound (Port) link, 14-15 January (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • SH1 southbound to SH16 westbound link, 14-15 January (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Hobson Street southbound on-ramp, 14-15 January
  • SH16 eastbound to SH1 southbound link, 14-15 January (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Symonds Street southbound on-ramp, 14-15 January
• Westbound lanes between Stanley Street off-ramp and Wellesley Street East on-ramp, 14-15 January (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • SH16 (Port) westbound to SH1 southbound link, 14-15 January (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Grafton Road southbound on-ramp, 14-15 January

SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

• Khyber Pass Road southbound on-ramp, 14-15 January
• St Marks Road southbound on-ramp, 14-15 January
• Southbound lanes between Greenlane off-ramp and Mt Wellington Highway on-ramp, 12-13 January (approx. 10:30pm to 5:00am)
  • Greenlane southbound on-ramp, 12-13 January (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Tecoma Street southbound on-ramp, 12-13 & 16 January
  • Ellerslie-Panmure Highway southbound on-ramp, 12-13 January
• Southbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 13-16 January (approx. 9:30pm to 5:30am)
  • Takanini southbound on-ramp, 13-16 January (approx. 9:30pm to 5:30am)
  • Papakura (Loop) southbound on-ramp, 13-16 January (approx. 9:30pm to 5:30am)
  • Papakura (Diamond) southbound on-ramp, 13-16 January (approx. 9:30pm to 5:30am)
• Southbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 12 January
  • Papakura (Loop) southbound on-ramp, 12 January
  • Papakura (Diamond) southbound on-ramp, 12 January
• Northbound lanes between Ramarama off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 12-15 January (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)  
  • Ramarama northbound on-ramp, 12-15 January
• Bombay southbound off-ramp, 12-16 January
• SH1 southbound to SH2 eastbound link, 12 January
• Pokeno southbound off-ramp, 13 & 15 January
• Pokeno southbound on-ramp, 13 & 15 January
• Pioneer Road southbound off-ramp, 13 & 15 January

NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)

• Southbound lanes between Waimauku roundabout and Foster Road, 13-15 January (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)
• Northbound lanes between Foster Road and Waimauku roundabout, 13-15 January (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)
• Southbound lanes between Access Road and Taupaki Road roundabout, 12 January
• Northbound lanes between Taupaki Road roundabout and Access Road 12 January
• Northbound lanes between Hobsonville Road off-ramp and Brigham Creek roundabout, 13 & 15-16 January (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)
• SH16 eastbound to SH20 southbound link, (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 13 January
  • Great North Road eastbound off ramp (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 13 January
• Sh16 westbound to SH20 southbound link, (Waterview southbound tunnel closed), 13 January

UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)

• None planned

SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)

• Neilson Street northbound off-ramp, 12 & 15 January
• Rimu Road northbound on-ramp, 12 & 15 January

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. NZ Transport Agency thanks you for your co-operation during these essential improvements and maintenance.

Current overnight closure information(external link)

Auckland roads and public transport(external link)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Later this week crews will resume work on a significant programme of summer maintenance on State Highway 29.

Work to rebuild and resurface the road across 9 sites began in October 2024, with 2 sites near Hanga Lane and Gargan Road now complete.

Starting this Sunday 12 January*, work will resume near Old Kaimai Road, with 2 night shifts required to complete asphalt resurfacing work at this site. Work will be completed between 7pm and 6am on Sunday 12 and Monday 13 January.

While this work is underway, temporary traffic management, including lane closures and stop/go will be in place, as well as a reduced speed limit of 50km/h during the day to ensure the safety of the community and our team.

Drainage and asphalt resurfacing work will get underway near McLaren Falls Road on Monday 20 January until Thursday 27 February.

The drainage work will be carried out first, with work occurring during the day, Monday to Friday.

Temporary traffic management will be in place including the closure of the entire passing lane starting at Poripori Road and finishing just after McLaren Falls Road (Monday to Friday only, opening at the weekends), plus a reduced speed limit of 50km/h through the site, and 30km/h at the intersection with McLaren Falls Road.

Once drainage works are complete, asphalt works are expected to get underway in late January/early February and will involve lane closures, a reduced speed limit of 50km/h and periods of stop/go at night.

Road users should be prepared for delays and allow extra time for their journeys.

Resurfacing work will get underway near Kaukumoutiti Stream bridge, north of Soldiers Road, on Sunday 19 January, from 7pm to 6am, until Friday 24 January. Temporary traffic management, including stop/go will be in place, as well as a reduced speed limit of 50km/h during the day.

These works form part of the government’s $2.07 billion investment into road and drainage renewal and maintenance across 2024-27 via the State Highway Pothole Prevention fund. 

Once complete, drivers will have smoother and safer journeys along this section of the SH29 corridor. 

In addition, the SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works project continues, with lots of activity along the state highway between Belk and Cambridge roads, including the temporary lane closure of a short section of Cambridge Road.

Tauriko Enabling Works

Meanwhile on the Waikato side, works are also ongoing at the SH1/29 intersection in Piarere.

SH1/SH29 intersection

People are encouraged to plan ahead and see where disruptive works are by using the NZTA Journey Planner.

NZTA Journey Planner(external link)

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi thanks road users and the community for their patience.

_{*All dates are subject to weather.}

View larger/downloadable map [PDF, 120 KB]

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

A reminder that work begins next week alongside Tutaekuri River Bridge on State Highway 2 (SH2) Hawke’s Bay Expressway as the 4 laning Roads of National Significance project continues.

From Monday 13 January, crews will begin work alongside Tutaekuri River Bridge, starting with vegetation clearance, before laying repurposed silt to raise the land alongside the bridge and create a wide, flat surface for construction of the 4 laning project to begin later this year, once the silt has compacted.

During this time, there will be a temporary 70km/h speed limit through this area and road users will notice a lot of activity off to the side of the northbound lane, including silt transportation and construction from the beginning of February.

In February, the Rotary cycle path and walkway will be slightly realigned and there will, at times, be work site trucks crossing a small section of it. There will be traffic management to ensure all truck drivers will be slowing to a stop before crossing the path for the safety of all users and there will be people on site keeping the path clear for users.

There will also be some upcoming road closures for a range of maintenance work, separate to expressway project work. The expressway project team will also use the closures to install temporary steel barrier to separate traffic from the Tutaekuri River Bridge work site.

From Monday 20 to Thursday 23 January, sections of SH2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway will be closed from 8pm to 5am each night for a range of maintenance work. The work will be finished by 5am on Friday 24 January.

• 20 – 22 Jan – Between Prebensen Drive and Taradale Rd roundabouts, closed for 3 nights. Local road detour suitable for all vehicles.
• 22 Jan – Kennedy Rd on ramp, closed for 1 night. Local road detour suitable for all vehicles.
• 22 – 23 Jan – Between Meeanee Rd and Pākōwhai Rd/Links Rd, closed for 2 nights. Local road detour not suitable for heavy vehicles.

The closures are expected to add 5-10 minutes to people’s journeys and detours will be clearly signposted. The closures are weather dependent and if required, contingency dates will be communicated.

Crews will be sealing the Kennedy Road onramp, sealing between Prebensen Dr and Taradale Rd, and between Meeanee and Pākōwhai/Links Rds, and other work including median barrier replacement and lane marking.

SH2 Hawkes Bay Expressway

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

A reminder there will be overnight closures next week on State Highway 51 at Clive for resealing work.

Crews will be onsite between 8pm and 5am each night, with work starting on Monday 13 January and finishing at 5am Saturday 18 January.

Outside the closure times, the road will be open, with a 30 km/h temporary speed limit in place.

During the work, southbound traffic will be detoured down Awatoto Road, into Meeanee Road and onto Hawke’s Bay Expressway. The reverse will apply for northbound traffic.

Access for residents within the closure points will remain open (please speak to crews onsite) and at times during the work, light vehicles will be able to detour down Farndon Road onto Pākōwhai Road.

The detour signs will show when this is possible, with updated messaging on the boards at the southern end.

This work is weather dependent. Please check NZTA Journey Planner for updates.

Journey Planner(external link)

It’s important this work is carried out during the drier, warmer weather. To allow the new seal to set properly and ensure its longevity, it is crucial that road users adhere to all temporary speed restrictions in place.       

NZTA thanks all road users and the local community for their support during this week of work.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Work to resurface the State Highway 2 (SH2) Mohaka slow vehicle bay will begin from next Tuesday (14 January.)

The work is expected to take a fortnight to complete and stop/go traffic management will be in place along a stretch of the southbound lane which runs alongside the slow vehicle bay, south of Raupunga.

A temporary speed limit of 30 km/h will also be in place.

Please expect delays of approximately 10 minutes to your journey, as a result of the work.

Crews will be onsite between 6am to 6pm, every day except Sundays. Outside these hours the stop/go will revert to traffic lights and the 30 km/h temporary speed limit will remain in place.

The slow vehicle bay stretches 650 metres just after the Mohaka Rail Viaduct, about 2 kilometres from Raupunga. The slow vehicle bay is currently closed pending this resurfacing work and will reopen once this work is complete.

In the event of bad weather, work will begin on the next fine day and may extend the programme out.

The Mohaka slow vehicle bay is part of Connecting Tairāwhiti, which is a programme of projects providing more slow vehicle bays and more places to pull off the road safely to check messages or take a break on SH2 and SH35 across the Tairāwhiti and northern Hawke’s Bay regions.

Thank you to all road users for your continued patience while this work is carried out.