People driving around Southland, Otago and Canterbury in the coming two days need to be ready for some changeable and snowy winter weather, says Nicole Felts, Journey Manager for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency in Southland and Otago.
“Slow down and be ready for ice in shady spots and on bridge decks, and try to avoid sharp braking,” she says. “Waka Kotahi crews will be busy gritting places which get icy, applying de-icing compound and clearing any snow as quickly as they can. If in doubt we will close highways until they are safe to use so please check our highway map(external link) before you set off.”
People should avoid driving at night if possible.
Monday night’s conditions have eased across Otago and Southland
Snow and ice warnings inland from Dunedin, Kyeburn to Outram (SH87) and Palmerston to Kyeburn (SH85) were in place Monday evening and overnight. Conditions for SH93 Mataura to Clinton, eased late morning today (Tuesday). Photo below taken at 10.40 am Tuesday on SH93:
There is a MetService heavy snow watch in place for Otago south of Queenstown through to Mosgiel, also Fiordland and Southland.
The Milford Alliance Team advise that there will be snow from Knobs Flat to The Chasm, Tuesday through to Thursday afternoon. Drivers need to watch for snow clearing equipment during daylight hours. While no road closures are expected over this period, based on the current forecast, short road restrictions might occur early Wednesday during heavier snow.
Canterbury north of Arthur’s Pass, Marlborough and Nelson Lakes Forest Park – Wednesday evening into Thursday
An Orange heavy snow warning is in place from 6 pm Wednesday night to 8 am Thursday for this upper South Island high country area.
MetService is predicting 20-30cm of snow above 300 metres and smaller amounts down to 100 metres. The Hundalees north of Cheviot on SH1 could also catch some snow, says Waka Kotahi. Care will be needed along the Kaikōura Coast.
The Buller District into Tasman also has a heavy snow watch in place from later on Wednesday into early Thursday.
Arthurs Pass (SH73) may also get more snow Wednesday night.
There are simple things we can all do to help keep everyone on the roads safe, says Miss Felts:
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.
Makes sure everyone is wearing their seat belt throughout the full journey.
With snow warnings in place for the top of the South Island, drivers must keep an eye on the weather and take extra care on the roads.
The Metservice has issued a heavy snow warning for Wednesday night for Marlborough south of Ward and the Nelson Lakes National Park. A heavy snow watch is also in place for Buller and the western parts of Tasman.
It will affect travel on State Highways 1, 65, 6, and 63.
While contractors are monitoring in the affected regions, roads may be closed at short notice if conditions become too dangerous.
It is essential road users drive to the conditions, reduce their speed, and be prepared for slippery roads. Allow extra time for your journey and try and time your travel for the middle of the day or in daylight hours, when visibility is better, and ice and snow are less likely to be on the road. Avoid driving at night when hazards are worse.
Drivers should check weather and road conditions before travelling.
More advice on winter driving can be found on our website:
Regular users of State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill, need to be ready for an upcoming night closure of the route.
Contractors will carry out planned maintenance on Sunday, 13 August, between 9 pm and 4 am. The road will be closed to traffic.
People wanting to cross the hill during the closure should book in advance by 4 pm Friday, 11 August, for an escorted crossing.
Full closures allow road crews to work more efficiently and complete repairs faster. It is also much safer as some maintenance work requires large machinery that uses most of the road area.
Waka Kotahi understands these closures do cause travel delays. However, these regular maintenance closures are essential for keeping a vital state highway link open. They also significantly reduce the risk of bigger failures, which could create more disruption for road users. We appreciate your patience and understanding while our contractors carry out their work.
Important information for Remutaka Hill closures:
Escorted crossings are available during closure nights but must be booked in advance. We always communicate well before planned closures and provide contact details so bookings can be made.
Bookings are essential – drivers who turn up without one risk being turned away. If you have a genuine emergency on the night, the hill manager will decide how best to help you.
The escorted crossings are for light vehicles only. To keep our contractors safe, heavy vehicles can’t be accommodated.
Full access is always available for emergency services.
State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill Closure Dates. July-December 2023
Nights Closed
Start 9 pm
Finish 4 am
1
Sunday, 13 August
Monday, 14 August
5
Sunday, 3 September
Friday, 8 September
1
Sunday, 15 October
Monday, 16 October
5
Sunday, 5 November
Friday, 10 November
More information about planned maintenance closures for Remutaka Hill can be found on our website:
Remutaka Hill slump site update:
Design work for planned repairs is continuing. We will provide an update when more details about the planned fix and the impact on traffic are known.
At this stage, we estimate the current stop/go traffic management at the slump site will remain for up to two months. We want to thank drivers for their patience and understanding while our contractors work to repair this site.
Two staff on the Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway project have gained recognition at this year’s National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Awards.
Project Earthworks Manager Clare Miller and Graduate Environmental Advisor Oriwa Curtis were finalists at the awards in the Excellence in Leadership (Site Based) and Student categories respectively.
The national awards celebrate women working in the New Zealand construction sector, with a record 238 entries being received for the 2023 event.
Both Clare and Oriwa – who are employed by Waikanae-based Goodmans Contractors – were “highly commended” in their categories, each receiving a trophy in recognition of the achievement.
A civil engineer by trade, Mrs Miller is charged with ensuring the project’s earthworks target of 6 million cubic metres is achieved. With more than 5.8 million cubic metres of earth moved to date, the project is in a good position to achieve the target this year.
Judges praised Mrs Miller for her leadership qualities and the respect she had across all levels of the project:
“[Clare] is exceptional in her ability to get people to work for her, and the team wants to perform for her. She’s a fantastic boss and has real leadership qualities.”
Ms Curtis started on the project as an Environmental labourer and was quickly offered the Graduate Advisor role, which involves resource consent compliance work, environmental monitoring and planning. Ms Curtis balances her work with studying for a Bachelor of Applied Science at the Open Polytechnic.
The judges were impressed with Oriwa’s “grit, ability to learn on the job, problem solve and take initiative”:
“While on her academic and work journey, she is also raising her young daughter and working alongside iwi and volunteering with rangatahi from Dannevirke High School. At their request, Oriwa is to work with kaimahi and kaumātua to be the recipient of mātauranga, passed down to the younger generation through the tikanga of oral tradition and place-based learning.”
Te Ahu a Turanga project spokesman, Grant Kauri, congratulated both women on their awards, and praised their ongoing contributions to the project.
“Clare and Oriwa are both fantastic members of the Te Ahu a Turanga team, and they are representative of the many talented wahine working on our project and on construction projects across New Zealand.”
Mr Kauri said events like the NAWIC Awards were important for making construction a more accessible and attractive career pathway for women.
“We acknowledge that at 15 per cent of the construction workforce, women remain under-represented in the sector. As we have clearly seen from the calibre of entrants to the NAWIC Awards, they have a huge contribution to make to the industry.”
Women make up about 16 per cent of staff working on the Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway.
Director for Goodmans Contractors, Marianne Archer, said the company was proud of its staff members’ acknowledgments at the awards.
“Both Clare and Oriwa are thoroughly deserving of the recognition given to them. They are extremely hard workers, leading our people by example, and inspiring all those around them. Goodmans is extremely grateful to have them as a part of our amazing team.”
Earthworks Manager Clare Miller, left, and Graduate Environmental Advisor Oriwa Curtis, right, both work on the Te Ahu a Turanga: Manawatū Tararua Highway project.
Contractors responsible for maintaining state highways in the top of the South Island and lower North Island have literally gone the extra mile.
Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island/Top of the South, says the figures for last summer’s maintenance season have been compiled, and they show a considerable amount of work was completed, despite the weather being much wetter than usual.
“For Wellington and Wairarapa, our contractors managed to reseal, resurface, and rehabilitate over 45 lane kilometres of road on the state highway network. As well as this, they carried out a significant number of resilience works to help better protect the network from risk. This included our ongoing scheduled maintenance programme for State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill.”
Across the top of the South Island – Marlborough and Nelson/Tasman, Mr Owen says more good progress was made.
“There we renewed just under 13 percent of the network, with over 170 lane kilometres of the state highway network resealed, resurfaced, or rehabilitated.”
While the weather conditions this year haven’t been as challenging as those experienced further north, Mr Owen says the region still had some major hurdles to overcome.
“The post-flood repairs on State Highway 6 between Blenheim and Nelson in late 2022 required a lot of work, as did major slip repairs on State Highway 59, Pukerua Bay and State Highway 58, Haywards Hill. So, to get as much done as we have shows just how hard our contractors have worked.”
SH6 underslip repairs, November – December 2022.
Slip repairs, SH59 Pukerua Bay, September 2009.
But Mr Owen says while winter is here, the work for road crews doesn’t get any easier.
“Winter brings a whole host of different challenges. It’s only a year since we had major floods, which caused extensive damage to local roads and the state highway network across Marlborough and Tasman. While we can’t predict the weather, we must be ready for the problems it may bring.”
“We have already taken some steps here. Extra resilience was built into State Highway 6 between Hira and the Rai Valley when the highway was closed for repairs at the end of 2022. 30 new and larger culverts were installed, and they’ve already shown their worth during heavy rain this year. The road is in a much better position to cope with bad weather than it used to be,” Mr Owen says.
Waka Kotahi appreciates how disruptive resurfacing and pavement work can be for drivers and Mr Owen says road crews work hard to minimise the impact on the public.
“We put a lot of thought into how and when we deliver this important work, to minimise disruptions for road users, while also ensuring highways are well maintained and provide safer and more reliable journeys.”
Reporting state highway problems
It is vital problems on the network are identified. While contractors do regular checks, drivers are the best eyes on the road. If you see a pothole or anything that may be a problem, please report it. The sooner we know about it, the sooner it can be fixed.
Summer State Highway Maintenance – facts and figures
Wellington/Wairarapa
Rehabilitation (full road rebuild) – 1.1 lane km.
Resurfacing (replacing asphalt) – 22.2 lane km.
Chipsealing – 17.8 lane km.
SCRIM resealing (improves skid resistance) – 4.6 lane km.
Signs replaced – 214.
Barriers replaced/repaired – 5.3 lane km.
(Figures exclude SH1 Transmission Gully as this is managed under a PPP)
Marlborough and Nelson/Tasman
Rehabilitation (full road rebuild) – 4.4 lane km.
Resurfacing (replacing asphalt) – 7.6 lane km.
Chipsealing – 159.5 lane km.
SCRIM resealing (improves skid resistance) – 3.1 lane km.
Te Maunga interchange, at the State Highway 2 and 29A intersection at Baypark, will fully open to traffic soon.
The interchange has been operating without its fourth ramp since its partial opening in 2022. The remaining ramp is scheduled to open in mid-August and will temporarily take all traffic from SH2/TEL/Pāpāmoa over the newly signalised interchange. This change will enable SH2 at ground level, underneath the interchange, to be completed.
The traffic switch, including opening the ramp, the commissioning of new traffic lights on Te Maunga interchange and the closure of SH2 northbound underneath the interchange, is scheduled to take place from Sunday 13 August to Wednesday 16 August and will mean changes for people travelling on SH2 from Pāpāmoa and SH29A from Maungatapu.
Jo Wilton, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Waikato/Bay of Plenty, is looking forward to completing another piece of the project’s puzzle.
“We’re in the last stages of the Bay Link project and this piece takes us a huge step closer to overall project completion,” Ms Wilton says.
“Opening the remaining ramp to traffic means changes for people travelling on SH2 from Pāpāmoa and SH29A from Maungatapu, and will require all drivers to use the newly signalised interchange with the current lane under the interchange temporarily closing.
“This will streamline traffic, removing the merge from two northbound lanes to one on Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) and simplifying lane selection for those travelling to the Bayfair roundabout or Bayfair flyover.
The new ramp is expected to open to the public under temporary traffic management from early morning on Tuesday 15 August and remain open during daytime hours (from approximately 6am to 7pm) until the traffic switch is completed, after which it will be open 24/7.
“For people travelling from SH2/Pāpāmoa we’re expecting traffic to be slower, due to the signalised interchange, but better managed which will improve flow at the Bayfair roundabout. Overall travel times may increase slightly following the initial period of adjustment for road users.
“While there’s further work required that needs to take place from now until opening date, we want people travelling from SH2/Pāpāmoa and SH29A/Maungatapu to be aware of the upcoming switch.
“Once open, the interchange will remain under temporary traffic management and people are asked to take extra care when travelling through the area while everyone gets used to the new layout and the additional traffic lights, especially during morning and evening peak times.
“The opening of the remaining ramp means the final phase of construction work under the interchange can be completed, including the installation of fascia panels, construction of surface drainage, landscaping and finishing works.”
Changes for road users
The remaining off-ramp approaching the interchange from Pāpāmoa will open to traffic.
All motorists travelling on SH2 from Pāpāmoa/TEL towards Mount Maunganui/city centre and towards SH29A/Maungatapu will temporarily use the new ramp up to the signalised interchange.
The current SH2 northbound lane under the interchange will close. Southbound SH2 road users will continue using SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange to connect with TEL or SH29A.
The existing detour for traffic from Pāpāmoa/TEL towards SH29A/Maungatapu (via Sandhurst Drive, Mangatawa Link Road and Truman Lane) will be removed.
For traffic from SH29A/Maungatapu towards the Bayfair roundabout or Bayfair flyover, the left-turning slip lane from the top of the interchange will be replaced by a signalised intersection.
The interchange will operate under temporary traffic management with a 50km/h speed limit in place.
Three new traffic lights at Te Maunga interchange
The opening of the ramp will introduce the remaining permanent traffic lights on the interchange at the intersection of SH2 and SH29A. These will apply to road users travelling in all directions including SH2 northbound towards Bayfair roundabout or the Bayfair flyover, and SH29A left onto SH2. For those travelling from SH2/TEL/Pāpāmoa to SH29A, the signals will provide for a left turn from SH2/TEL onto SH29A.
People travelling between SH2/Pāpāmoa and SH29A, Mount Maunganui or city centre
People travelling to Mount Maunganui, the port or the city centre will use the new ramp onto the signalised interchange and proceed straight onto SH2. When descending the interchange to travel north, the left lane will connect to the Bayfair roundabout and the right lane to the Bayfair flyover (removing the existing weave of northbound traffic on SH2 after the interchange). There will be traffic lights at the top of the interchange.
Traffic from SH2/Pāpāmoa/TEL travelling towards SH29A/Maungatapu will also use the new ramp onto the signalised interchange, turning left onto SH29A. The detour along Truman Lane will be removed.
People travelling between SH29A/Maungatapu and SH2/Mount Maunganui or city centre
The slip lane at the top of the interchange will be controlled by traffic lights for people travelling from SH29A to Mount Maunganui, the port or the city centre. When descending the interchange to travel north, the left lane will connect to the Bayfair roundabout and the right lane to the Bayfair flyover (removing the existing weave of northbound traffic on SH2 after the interchange).
Changes for people walking and cycling
The new traffic lights will also apply to people walking and cycling to/from the interchange and Truman Lane. The shared path between the interchange and Bayfair roundabout on the western side of SH2/Maunganui Road will remain closed until completion of the new signalised Bayfair roundabout and the Matapihi Road/Owens Place signalised intersection.
Road and lane closures for traffic switch
The opening of the off-ramp will be staged, with the work required for this traffic switch to take place over four consecutive night shifts. To enable the traffic switch, overnight road closures northbound between Sandhurst interchange and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange are required.
The work is currently scheduled to take place from Sunday 13 August to Wednesday 16 August (from approximately 7pm to 6am each night).
During these hours, SH2/TEL northbound will be fully closed between Sandhurst interchange and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange. For road users travelling from Pāpāmoa/TEL towards Bayfair roundabout or the Bayfair flyover, a signposted detour via Mangatawa Link Road, Truman Lane, SH29A roundabout and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange will apply. This is the same detour that currently applies for road users travelling from Pāpāmoa/TEL to SH29A.
The new ramp is expected to open to the public under temporary traffic management from early morning on Tuesday 15 August until approximately 7pm and remain open during daytime hours only (from approximately 6am to 7pm) until the traffic switch is completed, after which it will be open 24/7.
Nightworks 8 and 9 August
In addition, from Tuesday 8 August to Wednesday 9 August 2023 (from approximately 7pm to 6am each night) lane closures will be in place on SH29A in both directions at SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange.
If this work is delayed because of weather or other unforeseen issues, it will be carried out on the next suitable night/s.
Until late spring, SH2 under Te Maunga interchange will be closed to allow for the installation of fascia panels, construction of surface drainage, landscaping and finishing works.
People are asked to take extra care when travelling through the interchange as they get used to the new lane layout and the introduction of traffic lights. Delays are to be expected.
At completion of the Bay Link project, the interchange will carry all SH29A traffic to and from SH2 while road users travelling to/from SH2/TEL/Pāpāmoa and the Bayfair flyover will be able to travel underneath Te Maunga interchange.
Waka Kotahi thanks drivers, local residents and business for their patience.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises of the following closures for motorway improvements. Work delayed by bad weather will be completed at the next available date, prior to Friday, 11 August 2023.
Please note this Traffic Bulletin is updated every Friday.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises motorists that two detours will be in place from next week for SH30 Te Ngae Road between Vaughan Road and Ōwhata roundabout.
A full closure of the Basley Road/Te Ngae Road intersection will be in place from Monday 7 August to Friday 11 August 2023 between the hours of 8pm to 5am while contractors work on the new traffic signals for the Basley Road intersection.
Access for local traffic will be maintained via detours.
Residents in this area can enter and exit however they will not be able to cross the Basley Road Intersection.
The works have been deliberately timed to be carried out at night when there is less traffic on the highway and to minimise disruption for drivers.
Full closures also allow the work to be completed quicker.
A second detour will be in place for all eastbound traffic from Sunday 6 August 8pm, 24/7 for up to five weeks.
All traffic, including heavy vehicles, will be required to turn left at Vaughan Road and follow detours to Ōwhata roundabout.
Any local traffic at the Iles Road intersection will need to take the right turn at Iles Road and follow detours. The westbound lane on SH30/Te Ngae Road will remain open.
Access for all local residents and businesses will be maintained via detours.
Waka Kotahi thanks road users for their understanding and patience during this work on SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two – to improve safety and connectivity, while accommodating for future growth and providing better travel choices.
Waka Kotahi and New Zealand Police are reminding East Coast stock owners to keep an eye on their livestock to avoid someone getting killed or seriously injured due to wandering animals.
The severe weather of the past few months has caused significant damage to infrastructure throughout the East Coast, including fencing on farmland bordering state highways.
Waka Kotahi Hawke’s Bay / Tairāwhiti System Manager Martin Colditz says our contractors have recently been called out to an increasing number of instances of animals alongside our state highways in Tairāwhiti, particularly on State Highway 35. These callouts utilise contractor resources usually reserved for road maintenance.
“It has been an incredibly trying, stressful few months for our communities up and down the coast, and we know people are doing their best to juggle lots of competing priorities. We also realise many stock owners have already taken steps to protect their animals and to protect road users and we do appreciate these efforts.”
Eastern District Road Policing Manager Inspector Angela Hallett says Police are regularly advised of wandering stock, and with each incident there is the potential for serious injury.
She says Police treat incidents of wandering stock seriously, and it is major safety issue for road users.
“Our Emergency Communications Centres work closely with partner agencies such as the Waka Kotahi Transport Operations Centre to ensure the appropriate agencies are advised and any cases attended and dealt with appropriately.”
“Wandering stock on our highways presents a risk to life, so please report them as soon as you can, either by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS, or 111 where there is an immediate risk to safety,” says Mr Colditz.
“Contractors working on SH35 will be a familiar sight for some time to come, while work continues to improve the road and plans are put in place for the longer-term resilience of the highway. It’s really important land owners do what they can to ensure the safety of all road users, local communities and our roadworkers,” says Mr Colditz.