Category: Transport

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Two sets of works are being combined as contractors look to complete maintenance faster on State Highway 2 between Wellington and Petone.

Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island and Top of the South, says planned rockfall works starting this weekend will be combined with median barrier renewals.

“Doing both jobs at the same time reduces the amount of time our contractors have to spend making repairs on this stretch of State Highway 2. It’s about working smarter and minimising the hassles for road users.”

Mr Owen says both works are essential for keeping drivers safe.

“Rockfalls can pose a serious risk to drivers, and especially cyclists. So, we must do everything we can to reduce the possibility of rocks falling onto the highway. Median barriers are crucial for protecting drivers from death and injury in a crash, and they must be regularly maintained and renewed.”

Rockfall works

Night-time lane closures will happen over the next six weeks as contractors carry out rockfall protection work at two sites on State Highway 2, north and south of the Horokiwi Road intersection.

The work means one northbound lane of the highway will have to be closed, and a lower temporary speed limit will be in place while this work is carried out. This is for the safety of drivers and contractors.

Contractors will be clearing loose rock and installing mesh and landslide barriers to prevent debris from falling on the highway.

Works schedule

• Sunday, 13 August to Sunday, 24 September.
• Sunday to Thursday nights, 7 pm to 5.30 am.
• The left-hand northbound lane will be closed to traffic at the two rock clearing sites, and a 50 km/h temporary speed limit will be in place.
• Cyclists will be escorted through the site during work hours.

Median barrier renewal

Contractors will be replacing the central median barriers from south of the Petone onramp to Horokiwi Road.

To keep contractors and drivers safe, there will be right hand southbound lane closure while this work is underway.

Works schedule

• Sunday, 13 August to Thursday, 24 August.
• Sunday to Thursday nights, 7 pm to 5.30 am.
• One right hand southbound lane closure.
• Cyclists will not be affected.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Bad weather and snow have closed State Highway 63 between Renwick and St Arnaud.

Update 8:50 am:

Snow has seen the closure of another State Highway in the top of the South Island this morning.

State Highway 63 remains closed between St Arnaud and Renwick. Access is being provided for residents, but the highway remains closed to all other traffic.

State Highway 6 has now been closed from Kohatu to Kawatiri Junction

It means there are no direct routes between Marlborough/Nelson and the West Coast

Contractors are working hard to clear and reopen both roads but sweeping snow from the highways and gritting roads surfaces will take some time. More bad weather will also delay this work.

Road users must avoid both areas and delay their travel.

Meanwhile, snow is also falling on State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill. The road is currently open but could close at short notice.

Winter driving conditions apply across the regions and road users must take extra care. They should also check weather and road conditions before travelling.

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6:40 am:

Bad weather and snow have closed State Highway 63 between Renwick and St Arnaud.

It means people traveling between Blenheim and the West Coast must detour via State Highway 6 and Nelson.

Drivers must avoid the area or delay their journey.

Winter weather conditions are affecting all highways in the top of the South Island, meaning driving conditions are hazardous.

For people heading further south, other highways are also closed due to snow:

• State Highway 7 – Springs Junction to Hanmer Springs Turnoff
• State Highway 1 – Waitati to Dunedin(Leith Saddle)
• State Highway 87 – Outram to Middlemarch

Road users must take extra care on the roads. Reduce your speed and avoid sudden braking – it only takes a split second to lose control in wet or icy conditions.

Bad weather can see roads closed at short notice. Please check road and weather conditions before your journey.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

A heavy snow watch remains in force over large parts of Te Waipounamu/ South Island Wednesday and overnight into Thursday, potentially passing over the island early Thursday.

“Yesterday’s orange warning has been downgraded to yellow for north of Arthur’s Pass/ central Canterbury,” says Tresca Forrester, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Journey Manager for the West Coast and Top of the South Island. 

“Drivers will still need to drive well-prepared and ready for snow and ice in inland Buller District, western Tasman, inland Canterbury and about and north of Arthur’s Pass, inland Marlborough, the Richmond Range and Nelson Lakes National Park,” she says. “It’s still possible short closures could occur across the road network.”

• Snow is also forecast south of Arthur’s Pass to Lake Tekapo from 6 pm tonight to midnight.
• Porters Pass on SH73 is forecast to catch snow overnight from late Wednesday afternoon.
• The Lindis Pass (SH8) between Cromwell and Omarama may also get snow showers today and overnight, possibly peaking after midnight, 1 am to 3 am.

Further south, there is a heavy snow watch over much of Otago and Southland, inland from Dunedin and across to Milford Sound/ Piopiotahi. Crews are well prepared with grit trucks and de-icing compound replenished.

Winter driving tips

• Drive slower than you normally would – it only takes a split second to lose control in wet or icy conditions.
• Avoid sudden braking or turning movements that could cause you to skid.
• For vehicles without anti-skid braking systems, to avoid skidding or sliding, smoothly pump the brake pedal in short bursts rather than pressing long and hard.
• Drive at a safe travelling distance because it takes longer to stop on slippery roads. In winter, double the two-second rule and leave a safe distance between you and the vehicle ahead.
• When travelling in fog, rain or snow, drive with your lights dipped.
• Make sure everyone is wearing their seat belt throughout the full journey

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

More than 150 vehicles had to wait in freezing conditions in the Tongariro National Park this time last week after truck crashes and snow and ice forced the closure of highways in the Central Plateau.

With freezing temperatures and more snow forecast for the region from tonight – here’s how NOT to spend a very cold night in your vehicle…

“The message is, check the forecast, check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner. If it’s going to be under 4 degrees, consider whether you really need to drive – or can you delay your trip? And if you’re out there go slow, heed warnings and follow our contractor’s advice on the ground,” says Cara Lauder, System Manager for Waka Kotahi in the Waikato.

“Some drivers are not making good decisions. They’re not taking notice of warnings. They’re not driving to the conditions. They’re going too fast and taking risks. And a crash is extremely disruptive – not to mention dangerous at this time of year. Once traffic is stopped, it can get snowed in,” says Ms Lauder.

Last week freezing conditions saw the closure of SH1 through the Desert Road, between Taihape and Waiouru, SH4 from Taumarunui to the Tongariro National Park and SH47 from the National Park to Turangi.

At least 100 trucks and more than 50 cars were stuck or parked up in Waiouru or National Park due to crashed trucks and dangerous conditions forcing the road closures. And that’s a conservative estimate.

“Waka Kotahi issues advice about potential closures and winter conditions and puts notifications on roadside digital signs. It goes to show how important it is to listen to this advice.

“Pack warm clothes, blankets, food and water if you’re going to drive through this region at this time of year. Conditions can worsen at little notice, or a crash can block the road. It gets very cold very quickly once the engine cuts. If you’re trapped through the night – are you prepared for that?” asks Ms Lauder.

Last week Waka Kotahi contractors, Downer, rescued a family travelling together in 3 vehicles which got stuck on the Desert Road. Contractors’ first priority was moving crashed trucks so they could start ploughing and de-icing. The 6 adults and 12 children were travelling in vehicles without chains and had a cold wait.

“That family was lucky. The Downer crew knew they were there and gave them hot pies. Once it was safe to do so, they were escorted out.

“Crashes are difficult in this region as even heavy tow trucks may not be able to reach a crashed vehicle in the wintery conditions. If maintenance trucks are also involved in a rescue, it diverts resources away from re-opening the road,” Ms Lauder says.

Waka Kotahi and our contractors prepare for these situations by monitoring the conditions around the Tongariro National Park with the help of weather stations and a forecast tool called Metconnect that predicts temperature, wind, rain, snow and ice and helps inform if or when highways may close and how many roading crews are needed to keep highways safe.

“There are a lot of logistics to plan. Depending on the severity of the forecast, our contractors may send as many as 13 crews out. Tonight, the plan is to send seven trucks to do around the clock shifts covering the Desert Road and the route around the mountains via National Park.

“Contractors use snow ploughs and brooms to remove the snow. They also spray calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) to stop ice from bonding to the road surface and apply grit for traction. We go through around 80 tonnes of CMA each year in this region alone.

“An isolated cold snap can create a very icy road in spots. And bridges can be even more dangerous, because while the ground has built thermal capacity (it holds warmth) bridges don’t have that nice insulating earth below. So bridges can freeze up on their own, while the surrounding road is fine. Places like the Makatote viaduct can be really gnarly, while the rest of the road is ok,” Ms Lauder says.

The current forecast shows light snow flurries from midnight tonight and throughout the morning, which may close the Desert Road. Heavier snow is forecasted again for Friday morning.

“Stay home if you don’t need to travel. If you do – be prepared. Driving to the conditions means being very careful about your speed and if you see a vehicle that has skidded or crashed consider whether or not it is safe to pass.

“Assess the conditions when you reach Waiouru, Turangi or the National Park and consider whether it is safe to continue and if not either find somewhere safe to wait or consider an alternate route.

“Waka Kotahi and our contractors are doing what we can to keep you safe – the rest is up to you.”

Check our website for more tips on winter driving.

Winter driving

And watch these handy videos:

Winter driving summary(external link)

How we respond(external link)

How to stay safe(external link)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Drivers heading southbound towards Wellington will have night-time detours through the Johnsonville CBD when state highway safety works begin this weekend – Sunday, 13 August.

Drivers heading southbound towards Wellington will have night-time detours through the Johnsonville CBD when state highway safety works begin this weekend – Sunday, 13 August.

Contractors will be carrying out rock clearing works and extending concrete safety barriers on along the left side of State Highway 1 at the top of the Ngauranga Gorge. The aim is to reduce the risk of rocks falling from the hillside onto the road.

The southbound lanes heading to Wellington will be closed while these nightworks are underway, meaning traffic will have to detour through Johnsonville.

Works Schedule and Detour Advice:

• Sunday, 13 August to Monday, 28 August.
• Sunday to Thursday nights, 9 pm to 4.30 am.
• All southbound lanes will be closed. Traffic must detour via the Johnsonville southbound offramp through the central business district, returning to the state highway in the Gorge at the Johnsonville southbound onramp.
• As an alternative route, road users should consider diverting from State Highway 1, Transmission Gully, on to State Highway, 58 Haywards Hill Road, to State Highway 2, Western Hutt Road, to State Highway 2, especially if heading to Petone or Seaview.
• Truck and heavy vehicle drivers are reminded the height clearances for the Johnsonville State Highway underpasses on the southbound offramp, and onramp are 4.3m and 4.8m respectively.

Detour Route:

Waka Kotahi appreciates these works create travel delays for road users. However, they have been deliberately timed to be done at night when traffic volumes are lower to minimise disruption.

The work is essential to reducing the danger from potential rockfalls onto the State Highway. These are dangerous to drivers and work like this must be carried out regularly to help keep the public safe.

Road users should allow extra travel time when driving through the works areas and follow all instructions from contractors – safety of road crews and road users is a priority.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Work will begin on Monday 14 August on the second stage of making State Highway 50 Hyderabad Road safer for all road users.

Traffic management will be in place at the intersection with Battery Road as a pedestrian island is built, along with an extension to the footpath and safer crossings for prams and wheelchairs.

Contractors will not need to use full road closures during this period, but there will temporary changes to traffic flow in and out of Battery Road.

While work is carried out on the southern side of Battery Road, traffic will only be able to enter Battery Road, and will be detoured out Lever Street to rejoin SH50.

When work switches to the northern side of Battery Road (the same side as Ahuriri Park), road users will only be able to exit from Battery Road. A detour will be in place via Lever Street.

A temporary speed limit of 30 km/h will apply near the worksite during the hours of 7am and 5pm.

We anticipate the work taking just over three weeks to complete, finishing in early September.

Waka Kotahi Senior Project Manager Jacob Laird says the work will include updated cycle way markings on Battery Road as well.

“The work links up with the first stage of safety improvements in the area completed last year which included the construction of a new shared path.

“This month’s work builds on that first stage, making the intersection safer for all road, and shared path users.”

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Sealing of Tauranga City Council’s Wairoa Cycleway project is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday 9 August, between the hours of 9am and 4pm.

The sealing is being carried out on the cycleway, which is located adjacent to the state highway, between Wairoa Bridge and Bethlehem. While works take place there will be a temporary speed limit in place of 50 km/h.

As the work is off-road, it is not expected to result in significant disruption to the state highway network, however previous work in the area has resulted in additional travel time during peak hours.

Waka Kotahi advises road users to consider their travel while this work takes place, and to plan ahead with the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner(external link)

Work on the cycleway is expected to be complete in September.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Newly published results of a six-month trial of safety cameras in Auckland provide further evidence on the scale of mobile phone use by drivers and the failure of vehicle occupants to use seatbelts.

Waka Kotahi undertook the trial across three locations in Tāmaki Makaurau last year to help quantify the problem, as well as to test the ability of safety cameras to accurately detect this behaviour and make our roads safer. The trial was the first of its kind in Aotearoa.  

Results from the trial show that across three test sites over the six-month period, one in 42 drivers (2.4%) were detected illegally using mobile phones, while one in 95 (1%) vehicles had occupants not wearing seatbelts. The total number of potential offences recorded over the full trial period was 242,959.  

Waka Kotahi General Manager Regulatory Transformation and System, Tara Macmillan says the Auckland trial represents the first steps to collecting better evidence on the scale of these road safety issues in New Zealand, and the role of safety cameras in addressing them.

“We’re taking a pragmatic approach to looking at how this technology can be introduced most effectively, including how automated detection could work alongside other road safety strategies.

“Safety cameras and automated detection technology are potentially important tools for broader future use. They are just one way that we can keep people safe by reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads. We need everyone making safe choices, in safe vehicles, on safe roads, travelling at safe speeds to achieve our vision of an Aotearoa where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads.” 

Ms Macmillan says findings of the trial will inform future decisions on regulatory changes which would be needed to enable the use of safety cameras to enforce mobile phone and seatbelt offences, which is currently not permitted under the Land Transport Act 1998. 

Mobile phone and seatbelt detection trial(external link)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Drivers using State Highway 60 through Motueka can expect delays this afternoon as emergency services attend a serious crash near the town centre.

The incident was reported shortly after 2 pm.

The crash means the road is closed to southbound traffic at the intersection of State Highway 60 (High Street) and Pah Street. The road is currently open to northbound traffic.

Drivers are asked to take extra care and follow the directions of emergency services on site.

Travel delays are expected, and road users should factor this into their travel plans.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Northbound closures and detours are required for State Highway 1 travellers near Ngāruawāhia from Sunday night, 13 August to Tuesday night 15 August.

Contractors need to move traffic off the northbound lanes to do survey work for upcoming permanent surfacing works and other maintenance activities.

The work is part of the current Waikato Expressway Ngāruawāhia section remedial and safety improvements.

The detour is via Ngāruawāhia on the old highway between Horotiu and Gordonton Road interchanges, from 7pm to 5am.

It adds about 5-8 mins to travel times.

HPMVs must use SH1B and overweight vehicles need to use SH2/27, under an existing overweight permit.