Category: New Zealand Transport Agency

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Kaikōura, State Highway 1, update since reopening last Friday

The highway opened last Friday after nearly two weeks of concentrated slip clearance both north and south of the town, including the Hundalee Hills. Sites which had been well sluiced, scaled and strengthened since the 2016 earthquake as well as newly-built infrastructure held up well in the storm.

“Delays are concentrated within the Hundalee area north of Parnassus,” says North Canterbury Transport Infrastructure Recovery (NCTIR) Network Operations Manager Tresca Forrester. “When traffic is busy, people could face up to 20-minute delays due to the longer work sites and the close proximity of sites. Peak times are between 11am and 4 pm daily.”

She reminded drivers that temporary speed limits are there for their safety and for all drivers to take their time, take care around crews and build in extra time for this journey.

The southern closure point outside of the open hours of 7.30 am to 7.30pm remains the SH1/Leader Rd intersection. Residents living within this soft cordon have access to their homes.

Travel time between Christchurch and Picton has been between four hours and 40 minutes and five hours but summer traffic volumes have dropped off, says Ms Forrester, to around 2,200 – 2,500 vehicles daily.

“Wet weather will still likely affect this route in future so people should check its open/ closed status before setting out.” (See www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic)

The Lewis Pass route via Waipara and Murchison remains a good alternate route to SH1.

How to stay up to date:

• 0800 4 HIGHWAYS
• www.facebook.com/nztasouthisland
• Canterbury/ West coast Twitter @NZTACWC
• The key traffic and travel source which provides up-to-date information on weather and road conditions is www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• For more Transport Agency Twitter and Facebook accounts: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/contact-us/connect-with-us/

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Takaka Hill, SH60, Riwaka to Golden Bay – Easter update, open hours, repairs going well, dedicated email

“We know that freight providers and farmers need these truck and trailer units to get across the hill efficiently and that the single trucks’ restriction is adding to costs.”

Although there is no confirmed date at this stage for opening up the highway to trucks with trailer units, and over-dimension vehicles, the Transport Agency is hopeful it could be in two weeks’ time.

“Thanks to everyone for being patient while we work to get Takaka Hill repaired and safe for everyone to use again,” says Mr Porter.

Opening hours – same open hours continue this week

Currently the road open hours are Monday to Saturday inclusive, mornings and nights only, 7-8 am and 5-6 pm. People are encouraged to arrive as close to 7 am and 5 pm to reduce their waiting time and get through as quickly as possible.

On Sundays, people can travel by convoy all day 8 am to 5 pm as the crews have a day off repairs.

• People should expect to be part of large convoys and to have to wait to get over the hill.
• People towing caravans, trailers and boats can get over the hill at the end of each day in the last evening convoy in each direction (5-6 pm). On Sundays, they should be at the waiting area from 4 pm.
• Otherwise the restrictions remain in place for rigid trucks only, with no trailers or over-dimension vehicles allowed on Takaka Hill currently.
• The road is not generally suitable for motorcyclists in wet conditions, when it will be very slippery, particularly for those on road touring bikes with standard tyres. Motorcyclists will need to take extreme care.

Extending the open hours – soon

The Transport Agency is aiming to offer extended opening hours in coming days ie earlier in the morning and later in the evenings. This will allow more traffic to travel over the hill, but still allow the same time for crews to repair the road during the day.

The Transport Agency will communicate any changes to people as soon as they are confirmed and the Traffic and Travel page information will also be updated.

Easter opening hours   – open each day, all day

• The Takaka Hill road will be open 8am – 5pm all of Easter, Good Friday to Easter Monday inclusive.
• The Thursday night (29 March) opening from 5 pm is likely to be extended to later so that people know they can travel to/from Golden Bay for their holiday break without the need to rush.

After Easter hours and access – Tuesday, 3 April onwards

The Transport Agency is aiming to open up the road to be used normally, without convoys, outside of the daytime construction work, ie outside of 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday, including overnight. “Repairs will be ongoing for some time and they cannot be undertaken safely or efficiently while there is traffic on the road,” says Mr Porter.

This planned timetable to move beyond the convoy system is dependent on good weather in coming weeks, he says.

Try not to make up time, arrive on time for least delays

Frank Porter reiterated the need for people to take care once they are beyond Takaka Hill and not speed up to make up time. “We have had reports from our crews that some people are not driving to the speed limits once they are over the hill. Please, get home safely, and drive to the conditions.”

Mr Porter also reminded drivers that crews are unable to give priority to some people in the queue over others.  “We will work to get everyone waiting over, and our crews are there to get people over as quickly as is safely possible. If it is urgent, arrive on time.”

Traffic and travel pages for convoy information which will be updated when arrangements change: http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/areawarnings/202314

How to stay up to date:

• email takakahill@nzta.govt.nz
• www.facebook.com/nztasouthisland
• Tasman District Council’s Facebook page
• Transport Agency Twitter page Top of the South https://twitter.com/nztatots (NZTA Top of the South)
• The key traffic and travel source which provides up-to-date information on weather and road conditions is www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• 0800 4 HIGHWAYS

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Takaka Hill, SH60, Riwaka to Golden Bay – Easter update, open hours, repairs going well, dedicated 0800 number and email

“We know that freight providers and farmers need these truck and trailer units to get across the hill efficiently and that the single trucks’ restriction is adding to costs.”

Although there is no confirmed date at this stage for opening up the highway to trucks with trailer units, and over-dimension vehicles, the Transport Agency is hopeful it could be in two weeks’ time.

“Thanks to everyone for being patient while we work to get Takaka Hill repaired and safe for everyone to use again,” says Mr Porter.

Opening hours – same open hours continue this week

Currently the road open hours are Monday to Saturday inclusive, mornings and nights only, 7-8 am and 5-6 pm. People are encouraged to arrive as close to 7 am and 5 pm to reduce their waiting time and get through as quickly as possible.

On Sundays, people can travel by convoy all day 8 am to 5 pm as the crews have a day off repairs.

• People should expect to be part of large convoys and to have to wait to get over the hill.
• People towing caravans, trailers and boats can get over the hill at the end of each day in the last evening convoy in each direction (5-6 pm). On Sundays, they should be at the waiting area from 4 pm.
• Otherwise the restrictions remain in place for rigid trucks only, with no trailers or over-dimension vehicles allowed on Takaka Hill currently.
• The road is not generally suitable for motorcyclists in wet conditions, when it will be very slippery, particularly for those on road touring bikes with standard tyres. Motorcyclists will need to take extreme care.

Extending the open hours – soon

The Transport Agency is aiming to offer extended opening hours in coming days ie earlier in the morning and later in the evenings. This will allow more traffic to travel over the hill, but still allow the same time for crews to repair the road during the day.

The Transport Agency will communicate any changes to people as soon as they are confirmed and the Traffic and Travel page information will also be updated.

Easter opening hours   – open each day, all day

• The Takaka Hill road will be open 8am – 5pm all of Easter, Good Friday to Easter Monday inclusive.
• The Thursday night (29 March) opening from 5 pm is likely to be extended to later so that people know they can travel to/from Golden Bay for their holiday break without the need to rush.

After Easter hours and access – Tuesday, 3 April onwards

The Transport Agency is aiming to open up the road to be used normally, without convoys, outside of the daytime construction work, ie outside of 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday, including overnight. “Repairs will be ongoing for some time and they cannot be undertaken safely or efficiently while there is traffic on the road,” says Mr Porter.

This planned timetable to move beyond the convoy system is dependent on good weather in coming weeks, he says.

Try not to make up time, arrive on time for least delays

Frank Porter reiterated the need for people to take care once they are beyond Takaka Hill and not speed up to make up time. “We have had reports from our crews that some people are not driving to the speed limits once they are over the hill. Please, get home safely, and drive to the conditions.”

Mr Porter also reminded drivers that crews are unable to give priority to some people in the queue over others.  “We will work to get everyone waiting over, and our crews are there to get people over as quickly as is safely possible. If it is urgent, arrive on time.”

Traffic and travel pages for convoy information which will be updated when arrangements change: http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/areawarnings/202314

How to stay up to date:

• 0800 482 525 for Takaka Hill access; email takakahill@nzta.govt.nz
• www.facebook.com/nztasouthisland
• Tasman District Council’s Facebook page
• Transport Agency Twitter page Top of the South https://twitter.com/nztatots (NZTA Top of the South)
• The key traffic and travel source which provides up-to-date information on weather and road conditions is www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• 0800 4 HIGHWAYS

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: SH4 set to re-open between Whanganui and Raetihi

NZ Transport Agency Regional Transport Systems Manager Ross I’Anson says travel will be restricted to a single lane at the site while work is undertaken to remove unstable material above the road, with stop-go traffic controls in place.

The unstable material was identified during a regularly scheduled geotechnical inspection earlier this week, and the road has been closed since 5pm Monday while a more detailed inspection has been undertaken to determine how to safely remove the material.

The roadside barriers will protect motorists from falling material while the work is undertaken to remove it. The work is expected to be completed by mid-May, weather depending.

Mr I’Anson says SH4 through the Paraparas has several bluffs along its length made up of papa, which is particularly susceptible to weathering. The Transport Agency regularly monitors these bluffs as part of an ongoing geotechnical inspection regime for the road.

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: State Highway 1 repair works update

The temporary concrete safety barriers installed immediately after the storm will be removed so that crews can access the area to repair the footpath and install a new permanent safety barrier.

The road will be open to two lanes from 5:30am to 7pm each day, with a temporary reduced speed limit of 50km/h in place for northbound traffic. From 7pm crews will begin setting up the work site for night operations, and the road will be down to one lane under stop go traffic control until 5:30am.

Once this work is complete, the footpath and cycleway will be open again. The safety barrier that was damaged in the storm will be replaced and speed limits along this stretch of SH1 will return to normal (80km/h).

“Apart from the final resurfacing of the road and footpath, the rest of the work is not weather dependent,” NZTA’s Regional Transport Systems Manager Mark Owen says.

“Crews have been working since the storm, largely in the shoulder of the road, but this last phase of work may impact on people’s journeys both during the day and at night.”

“We’re aiming to have the work completed within the next 2 weeks so that pedestrians, cyclists and motorists can have full access along this stretch of highway.”

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: One more day to finish resurfacing of SH1 through Mangamuka Gorge

Contractors need one more day of fine weather to finish the job, says the NZ Transport Agency’s System Manager Steve Mutton.

The road will be closed this Sunday 11 March to make up for the day lost last weekend. The closure will follow the same timetable as previous weekends, starting at 8:30am on Sunday. It will reopen 4pm–5pm and close again until 8pm if necessary.

The resurfacing requires dry weather, so any rain will force a postponement to Monday or Tuesday.

“Right now, and we’re still a few days out, Sunday is looking like the best day for it,” says Mr Mutton.

The detour via State Highway 10 between Awanui and Pakaraka will add about 10 kilometres to a one way journey.

“Motorists who don’t use the detour and choose to find their own way are reminded to drive with extreme care as some local roads may have uneven surfaces, minor slips or been damaged by recent bad weather in Northland,” says Mr Mutton.

The Transport Agency apologises for any inconvenience while this important safety and maintenance work is completed.

Check the Transport Agency’s website:for the latest highway information or sign up to www.onthemove.govt.nz for up-to-date information on what is happening on the route you plan to travel; freephone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS for national and regional travel updates.

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: SH1 Desert Road closure delayed due to weather

The closure was scheduled to take place from Wednesday morning. The road is being closed to enable the concrete deck to be poured and was always weather-dependent.

Another similar 36-hour closure is scheduled for 4-5 April, this will also be weather permitting.

Outside of the closure times people can expect the bridge to be down to one lane, with some short closures of around 5 minutes. There is a 30km/h limit in place.

The alternative route is State Highways 46, 47, 4 and 49. This detour is not suitable for vehicles over 44 tonnes, apart from 50MAX which is permitted.

There are also multiple maintenance work sites on the Desert Road during this period and delays are possible at other sites.

High productivity motor vehicles can use the SH3 and SH3A route between Hamilton and Bulls.

Vehicles with over-weight loads or over-dimension loads wider than 3.0 metres are unable to use the Desert Road section of SH1 until the bridge repairs are complete in April.

These closure dates are subject to fine weather and further postponement may be needed.

People can check all current road closures here

We are also on Twitter and Facebook:

• www.facebook.com/nztacni/
• www.twitter.com/nztacni

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Over 14,000 Kiwis set their wheels in motion in Aotearoa Bike Challenge

Throughout the month of February participants made more than 159,000 trips by bike, cycling an impressive 2,156,800 million kilometres in total.

The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is a partnership between the NZ Transport Agency and global organisation Love to Ride. The challenge encourages New Zealanders to make everyday trips by bike, with one 10-minute ride enough to give them the chance to win some great prizes while feeling the benefits of cycling.

“It was great to see so many New Zealanders committed to getting on their bikes this February,” says NZ Transport Agency Senior Manager System Design, Brett Gliddon.

“The challenge is an opportunity for more New Zealanders to experience just how easy it is to incorporate cycling into everyday life and its benefits as a transport option. Getting about by bike is great for your health and wellbeing, it supports communities, often is an efficient way to get around our towns and cities, and for many Kiwis who choose to ride to work, it’s a great way to start and end your day.”

To get more New Zealanders to give cycling a go, workplaces across the country were encouraged to sign up for the challenge and to motivate staff to take part.

Trade Aid Development and Education Manager, Michelia Miles, said the Aotearoa Bike Challenge was a valuable initiative for staff to take part in.

“As an organisation, we feel it is important to encourage our team to get involved in initiatives that benefit their wellbeing and the environment. The Aotearoa Bike Challenge was so fun and easy. It increased staff motivation and built stronger connections amongst the team.”

Fitting cycling in to your everyday routine doesn’t have to be difficult, says Michelia.

“As a mother with a young family I often find it hard to fit in exercise but taking part in the Aotearoa Bike Challenge was an easy way for me to get moving regularly as it only took a 10-minute bike ride to take part.

“Because of the challenge, I’m now getting at least three hours of exercise into my mostly sedentary week. It’s a win-win for both me and the environment, and a habit that I definitely plan on keeping up for the rest of 2018!”

To give riders an extra incentive, there were great prizes up for grabs. The Wattwheels e-bike was won by Elle Heike from Victoria University of Wellington; and the Avanti e-bike was won by Ross Stanley from Xero in Auckland. Hundreds of other prizes including cycling gear, books and vouchers were awarded to participants throughout the challenge.

View all results from the 2018 challenge

Place	Company	Region	Percentage of staff cycling
2000+ staff
1.	Beca	New Zealand	16%
2.	Christchurch City Council	Canterbury	8.7%
3.	University of Auckland	Auckland	5.6%
500 – 1999 staff
1.	Tonkin + Taylor	New Zealand	35%
2.	Greater Wellington Regional Council	Wellington	20%
3.	Palmerston North City Council	Manawatu	17%
200 – 499 staff
1.	Beca Christchurch	Canterbury	41%
2.	Warren and Mahoney	New Zealand	32%
3.	Meridian Energy Christchurch	Canterbury	30%
50 – 199 staff
1.	Laura Fergusson Trust	Wellington	82%
2.	Mercury Rotorua	Bay of Plenty	70%
3.	Tonkin + Taylor Wellington	Wellington	69%
20 – 49 staff
1.	Harbour Sport	Auckland	100%
2.	Tonkin + Taylor Nelson	Nelson	100%
3.	TDG Auckland	Auckland	100%
7 – 19 staff
1.	Southern Institute of Technology Early Childcare Centre	Southland	100%
2.	Vivian Medical Centre	Taranaki	100%
3.	St John Gisborne	Gisborne	100%
3 – 6 staff
1.	Mosgiel Central Kindergarten	Otago	100%
2.	Warren and Mahoney Tauranga	Bay of Plenty	100%
3.	Van Dyck Fine Foods CRM Team	Taranaki	100%

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: SH4 closed between Whanganui and Raetihi

NZTA Regional Transport Systems Manager Ross I’Anson says the potential slip site was identified today during a regularly scheduled geotechnical inspection, and the road has been closed as a precaution while a more detailed inspection is undertaken.

Mr I’Anson says SH4 through the Paraparas has several bluffs along its length, where the material that makes up these areas (papa) is particularly susceptible to weathering. 

“The Transport Agency regularly monitors these bluffs as part of an ongoing geotechnical inspection regime for the road. While it difficult to predict exactly where or when a specific part of the slope may fail due to the unstable nature of papa, our geotechnical experts have advised that the road should be closed as a precaution until a more detailed inspection can be completed at this site.”

A further update will be provided by mid-morning on Tuesday. The road was closed at approximately 5pm Monday.

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Overnight, intermittent closure of Porter River Bridge, State Highway 73, from Monday, 12 March

From next Monday night, 12 March, the bridge will be closed overnight for an hour at a time from 10pm to 6am. It will be opened on the hour, (for example at 11 pm, then at midnight, then 1 am) every hour to clear traffic. The exception will be emergency vehicles which will be helped across the bridge as quickly as possible.  

• The work will be completed by 26 March, if crews get a run of dry weather. If not, the nights may be extended.

• The Porter River bridge is about 8kms west of Lake Lyndon, between Lake Lyndon and Castle Hill Village/Cave Stream Scenic Reserve.

• The work is to repair the bridge deck seals.

• Electronic signs on State Highway 73 will warn drivers of the intermittent closure from Tuesday, 6 March.

How to stay up to date:

• 0800 4 HIGHWAYS
• NZ Transport Agency – South Island Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nztasouthisland
• Canterbury/ West coast Twitter: https://twitter.com/nztacwc
• The key traffic and travel source which provides up-to-date information on weather and road conditions is www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic 
• For more Transport Agency Twitter and Facebook accounts: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/contact-us/connect-with-us/

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