Category: Transport

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency warns drivers south of Christchurch on SH1 to expect delays at the Rakaia River bridge this evening. A truck has broken down at the southern end of the bridge, reducing traffic to a single lane. Police are on site also helping with the traffic.

It may be a couple of hours or more until the truck is removed and congestion is reduced, says Andrew Crofts, System Manager for Waka Kotahi in Canterbury.

The alternate route is via Windwhistle and the Rakaia Gorge, SH77 with a single lane bridge there. See map below, this will add around 30 minutes to the journey in or out of Christchurch.

Updates here: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/canterbury/hazards/436428(external link)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

The Highways South highway reconstruction and maintenance team, working for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, will be more visible in coming weeks as the preparation work for the summer construction and resealing season warms up.

The first cab off the rank is a 1 km section of SH1 north-east of Gore, where speed has been reduced for safety after the surface began to “bleed” in the late summer period, leading to potholes and temporary repairs.

This particular reconstruction work is likely to run through into November.

The first big summer project for Highways South this season, west of Pukerau:

There is a large season of planned road reconstructions on state highways programmed for Southland this summer, says Justin Reid, Maintenance Contract Manager for Waka Kotahi in Southland.

The first big project – more than a kilometre of state highway west of Pukerau, north-east of Gore – will be reconstructed to improve people’s journeys, with initial drainage and earthworks starting mid-August, weather dependent. 

“Due to the damage caused to the road surface by hot temperatures earlier this year, this location has been prioritized,” says Mr Reid. “It is important we get this work completed before warmer temperatures closer to summer cause any further damage to the surface.”

Road users should expect delays in this area while the work is completed.  Temporary traffic lights and a temporary speed limit will be in place to protect road workers, road users, vehicles and the road surface.

Highways South acknowledges that this work will cause disruption for road users and appreciates the patience of the community and daily commuters/road users. 

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

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:

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Overnight closures on State Highway 2 at Trafford’s Hill, north of Gisborne, will be in place next week to complete asphalt resurfacing.

The stretch of SH2 between Matawai and the Waioeka Gorge will close at 7pm on Monday (7 August) and reopen at 5am the following morning (Tuesday 8 August). The road will close again at 7pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, reopening at 5am the following morning, finishing at 5am on Friday (11 August).

“While work on the Trafford’s Hill site has been delayed because of severe weather, crews have so far managed to complete 20,000 square metres of an estimated 80,000 square metres of asphalt resurfacing to complete on SH2 north and south,” says Waka Kotahi Hawke’s Bay / Tairāwhiti System Manager Martin Colditz.

A further week of night closures is planned from Monday 14 August. However, as work is weather dependent, road users are advised to check Journey Planner before travelling for the most up-to-date road information. Waka Kotahi will also communicate further details ahead of the planned closures. 

Roading crews will move south to Otoko and Waihuka once the Trafford’s Hill site is complete. 

“This stretch of road is a crucial lifeline for the community – these closures enable us to strengthen this stretch of SH2 safely and efficiently, and we appreciate people’s patience and support while we do this,” says Mr Colditz.

More information about the SH2 asphalting programme is available at:

(external link)https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/connecting-tairawhiti/tairawhiti-recovery/frequently-asked-questions/(external link)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Drivers travelling in the lower North Island and upper South Island will need to be on top of their game with gale-force winds forecast to hit the regions from 6pm tonight.

The Metservice has issued a wind warning for Wellington, Wairarapa, and Marlborough. It runs from 6pm Tuesday through to five am Wednesday morning.

 

Severe gale north westerlies, with gusts reaching 120 km/h, are forecast. This will affect all main highways in Wellington and Wairarapa, and State Highways 1, 6, 62, and 63 in the upper South Island.

 

It means drivers of high-sided vehicles (eg trucks, vans, and campervans) and motorcycles will need to take extra care in exposed areas, such as State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill.

 

Road users must drive to the conditions and be prepared for hazards. They should also check road and weather conditions before they travel, as strong winds can bring down trees and powerlines. This means roads can be closed at short notice.

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

Headline: The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is back for 2019

The month-long workplace Challenge, taking place in February, encourages New Zealanders to hop on their bikes and log their rides to be in to win some great national prizes valued at over $11,000 with additional prizes just for Bay of Plenty residents including a $50 voucher to My Ride Mt Maunganui and bike gear from Cyclezone Rotorua.

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

Headline: Plan ahead this anniversary weekend

Bay of Plenty Systems Manager Rob Campbell says there will be a lot of people travelling on our roads this weekend, whether it be travelling to the beach to make the most of the long weekend, or to the many events that are taking place over the long weekend.

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

Headline: Revocation of old Kāpiti state highway underway from next week

Stage one of the Mackays to Peka Peka (M2PP) Revocation project will focus on the northern end of Waikanae town from Main Road North, adjacent to New World supermarket, to Peka Peka Link Road. It is scheduled to start on Tuesday 22 January and finish in April this year. The works do not include the section of the state highway through the Waikanae town centre.

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

Headline: Consultation underway on Saddle Road permanent speed limits

The route is one of the bypass routes for the closed State Highway 3 Manawatū Gorge. Due to the heavy increase in traffic following the closure of the gorge, and the subsequent rise in crashes, emergency speed limits were put in place in January 2018.

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

Headline: Summer road maintenance accelerates in Northland

Before Christmas crews completed 133 kms of road re-sealing in Northland, but another 97 kms are planned before the end of summer. Road users will notice a lot of road works, but there’s no better time to complete the work, says the Transport Agency’s Northland System Manager Jacqui Hori-Hoult.

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