Category: Transport

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Drivers urged to plan ahead at Easter to avoid peak travel times

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

Headline: Drivers urged to plan ahead at Easter to avoid peak travel times

The Transport Agency’s travel team has put together maps to show the expected peak holiday traffic times to help drivers decide the best time to travel to avoid the queues. These maps show the busiest times based on previous years’ travel patterns. They are predictions and are subject to change based on the weather, local events and other factors. More details can be found at nzta.govt.nz/hotspots.

“We know we’ll see large numbers of people heading off to their usual holiday destinations and that makes queues and delays inevitable at the most popular times,” says the Transport Agency’s Senior Journey Manager Neil Walker.

Heading out of Auckland, the traffic will start to build on State Highway 1 in both directions from Midday on Thursday right through to about 8pm.

On Friday, traffic is likely to remain heavy from 7:30am for much of the day especially between Puhoi and Wellsford, on the Southern Motorway from Takanini and on State Highway 2 to Coromandel.

Coming back on Monday, the busiest times are from midday to 7pm.

“If everyone plans their travel in advance, and thinks about how they can travel outside the busiest periods it will help reduce congestion, delays and stress and that will make it a safer and more enjoyable journey for everyone.”

“The hot spot predictions have proved really popular in helping people make informed decisions about when to travel, but predicted peak times can change on the day because of incidents, changing weather and even driver behaviour. So keep up to date with real time travel information,” says Mr Walker.

Check the latest weather and warnings here:

Get real time information about the best times to travel and the less congested routes from:

For Auckland and Northland:

 

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First convoys bypass the SH1 washout north of Kaitaia

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

Headline: First convoys bypass the SH1 washout north of Kaitaia

There were 22 vehicles travelling south and 3 made the northbound journey, says the Transport Agency’s Northland System Manager, Jacqui Hori-Hoult.

The convoys are for essential travel only and will be repeated tonight at 5:30pm for southbound traffic and at 6:15pm for northbound traffic. Police will check the vehicles and drivers for suitability to make the 40 minute journey over the unsealed one lane track. The convoys will run at the same time tomorrow.

The route through the privately-owned forest is closed at all other times to vehicles except emergency services. Normal forestry operations have resumed in the area and motorists will be travelling at their own risk through the off road route.

If you don’t have to travel, please delay your journey until the state highway is open, says Ms Hori-Hoult.

Repair crews have made good progress over the weekend on laying a new culvert with 2.1 metre diameter pipes across the road. Seven trucks are delivering about 5,000 cubic metres of material needed to backfill the hole to road level.

The road is expected to reopen mid week.

The Transport Agency is working with local authorities, emergency services and the Ministry of Civil Defence to ensure the welfare of local communities and visitors.

Civil Defence says it’s had no requests for assistance. Emergency services also report no issues.

Schools remain open, though pupils who can’t get past the washout have been told to stay at home.

This morning, two trucks delivered 50 crates of fresh bread and milk and they were carried across the washout to store owners from the north waiting on the other side.

Tomorrow morning there will be a convoy leaving at 7:30am for southbound traffic from the corner of Far North Road and Trig Road and an 8:15am departure for northbound vehicles from 113 Hukatere Road at the end of the sealed section.

The Transport Agency thanks the local community and visitors for their patience and understanding while it works as quickly as possible to restore a safe and resilient transport system in Northland.

While SH1 is closed there is no alternative route between Kaitaia and Cape Reinga, apart from the forest track.

The road to the top of the North Island has been closed since a washout on Friday afternoon created a hole in the road 20 metres long and 4-5 meters deep near Pukenui, about 40 kilometres north of Kaitaia.

For latest road and travel information, go to:

For Auckland and Northland

 

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Escorted convoys to bypass the SH1 washout north of Kaitaia

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

Headline: Escorted convoys to bypass the SH1 washout north of Kaitaia

The Transport Agency, police and local authorities have been advising motorists against using the forest route over the weekend because it’s an unsealed route over private land and considered unsafe for cars, camper vans and buses.

Summit Forestry, the land owner, also said the route was not suitable for private vehicles.

But now agreement has been reached to open the route under police supervision for a short time in the morning and evening on Monday, says the Transport Agency’s Northland System Manager Jacqui Hori-Hoult.

In the morning there will be a 7:30am departure for southbound traffic from the corner of Far North Road and Trig Road and an 8:15am departure for northbound vehicles from 113 Hukatere Road at the end of the sealed section.

In the evening the southbound convoy will leave at 5:30pm with the northbound convoy leaving at 6:15pm.

The convoys will depart promptly. Any vehicle that arrives after the convoy has departed won’t be able to use the route says Ms Hori-Hoult.

There will be no opportunity to make the return journey in between these times.

The convoys are for essential travel only. If you don’t have to travel, please delay your journey until the state highway is open, says Ms Hori-Hoult.

This alternative forestry route is a single muddy track which is suitable for four wheel drive vehicles. Police will be assessing vehicles and drivers for suitability before they can join the convoy. Motorists will be travelling at their own risk.

Police will escort traffic through the area. The travel time is about forty minutes.

Schools have advised pupils affected by the highway closure to stay home on Monday.

Meanwhile Ms Hori-Hoult says work crews are making good progress on rebuilding the road to reopen it to traffic by the middle of the week. Nine of the ten pipes required to channel the stream under the road have been laid. Backfilling over the pipes to restore the road level is under way. Further progress remains subject to the weather.

The top of the North Island has been cut off after heavy rain caused a washout late on Friday afternoon that blew out a 20 metre stretch of SH1 just south of Pukenui.

Communities and tourists north of the washout have been cut off, but Civil Defence says it’s had no requests for assistance. Emergency services say it’s business as usual.

The Transport Agency is working with local authorities, emergency services and the Ministry of Civil Defence to ensure the welfare of local communities and visitors.

While SH1 is closed there is no alternative route between Kaitaia and Cape Reinga, apart from the forest track.

The Transport Agency thanks the local community and visitors for their patience and understanding while it works as quickly as possible to restore a safe and resilient transport system in Northland.

For latest road and travel information, go to:

For Auckland and Northland

 

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Road repair on SH1 north of Kaitaia is making good progress

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

Headline: Road repair on SH1 north of Kaitaia is making good progress

Work resumed on the site at 7am this morning and two of the ten 2.1 metre diameter pipes have already been placed into position. Material is being trucked in and stockpiled close to the site so that the hole can be backfilled to road level as soon as possible.

The washout, south of Pukenui between Whalers Road and Lamb Road, created a hole in the road about 20 metres wide and 4-5 metres deep.

A crew had inspected the culvert under the road an hour before the washout and there was no sign it was blocked or that there were any issues at that time.

Since Friday the weather has improved and the water level in the stream has dropped.
“There is a significant workforce and heavy lifting equipment on site and we are working to have one lane open to traffic as soon as possible but that is unlikely to be before the middle of next week”, says the Transport Agency’s Northland System Manager, Jacqui Hori-Hoult.

While SH1 is closed there is no appropriate alternative route between Kaitaia and Cape Reinga. Motorists should avoid the area and delay their journeys.

The Transport Agency says some locals have used a private track through the forest to get around the washout. But the Transport Agency, Police, Civil Defence and local authorities reiterate this route is a private unsealed one lane track that will have deteriorated with recent rainfall and use over the weekend.

The forestry company Summit Forestry now says it will not allow vehicles other than emergency services to use the track. Its operations resume in the forest from 4am Monday.

Police will be actively monitoring access to the forest route.

Driving on 90 Mile Beach is also not advised where the sand and tide present safety hazards to people not familiar with driving in these conditions.

The Transport Agency is working closely with Civil Defence, emergency services and local authorities on a response to support those in the area who may be affected by the road closure. Civil Defence says there have been no requests for assistance north of the slip and police are on standby to deal with emergencies.

The Transport Agency says the washout repair has not taken resources from the Lemons Hill slip repair work on SH11 between Paihia and Kawakawa. That work is continuing.

For latest road and travel information, go to:

For Auckland and Northland

 

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Takaka Hill update 3 pm – change to normal convoys today, highway open until 7 pm Saturday night

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

Headline: Takaka Hill update 3 pm – change to normal convoys today, highway open until 7 pm Saturday night

Crews are continuing to clear these slips so road users should expect short delays on the convoys this afternoon and early evening.

The highway will close to all traffic at 7pm this evening (Saturday, 24 March).

(Normally on Saturdays the highway is open for two hours in the morning, 7-9 am, and two hours in the evening, 5-7 pm.)

The best place for people to check the status of the hill road to Golden Bay, particular during rainy weather with slips affecting the normal convoy schedule is at the Transport Agency’s Traffic and Travel pages, or the social media pages (listed below).

“For the safety of road users and crews, the road will close at 7pm so that all traffic and crews are off the road before darkness as the road cannot be monitored for slips in the dark,” says Transport Agency System Manager Frank Porter.

“Hopefully with the rain easing, the ground should start to dry out, reducing the risk of slips overnight,” he says. “The road is likely to open tomorrow, Sunday 25 March from 8am to 8pm the normal Sunday hours, but people should check our web pages first.”

The hill convoy opening was delayed this morning until 9 am as crews had to clear the highway of slip material from the recent rain before it opened.

The Transport Agency thanks all road users for their patience if they have had delays in the convoy queue and getting to and from Golden Bay in these changeable weather conditions.

People can check the Transport Agency’s Traffic and Travel pages for the update: http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/regions/10

Current situation on the web page: http://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/areawarnings/202314

Stay up to date

Traffic and travel pages for usual convoy information

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SH1 north of Kaitaia remains closed by a road washout

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

Headline: SH1 north of Kaitaia remains closed by a road washout

The washout, south of Pukenui between Whalers Road and Lamb Road, has punched a hole in the road about 20 metres wide and 4-5 metres deep.

While SH1 is closed there is no alternative sealed route between Kaitaia and Cape Reinga.

“The Transport Agency does not support suggestions on social media that motorists can drive on 90 Mile Beach or on unsealed private roads through the forest to get around the washout. These are high risk options for drivers and their vehicles if they are not experienced at driving in these conditions,” says the Transport Agency’s Northland System Manager, Jacqui Hori-Hoult.

“We want to concentrate our resources on fixing the road for our communities and visitors in the Far North. The Transport Agency is working closely with Civil Defence, emergency services and local authorities on a response to support those in the area who may be affected.”

“We don’t want local services being diverted to rescuing vehicles stuck in the sand or searching for people lost or broken down in the forest. Please do not use these routes.”

Motorists should avoid the area and delay their journeys, says Ms Hori-Hoult.

For latest road and travel information, go to:

For Auckland and Northland

 

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Takaka Hill Road Update 7:30am – road open at 9am today

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

Headline: Takaka Hill Road Update 7:30am – road open at 9am today

“We expect the road to be open by 9am this morning to convoys,” says Frank Porter, NZ Transport Agency System Manager. “We will keep it open for two hours and then crews will continue clear-up works throughout the day. The road will be open again later today under normal opening hours, from 5pm through to 9pm.”

“The residue silt may make the road slightly slippery so please take extra care driving over the hill,” says Mr Porter.

People can check the Transport Agency’s Traffic and Travel pages for the update:  www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/regions/10

Stay up to date

Traffic and travel pages for convoy information

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Washout closes SH1 north of Kaitaia

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

Headline: Washout closes SH1 north of Kaitaia

The washout, which happened mid-afternoon, is south of Pukenui between Whalers Road and Lamb Road.

There is no alternative route. Motorists will not be able to travel north to Pukenui and on to Cape Reinga or south from there to Kaitaia. Motorists are advised to delay their journeys in the Far North.

The washout is significant and the road will remain closed over the weekend.

The Transport Agency is working closely with Civil Defence, emergency services and local authorities on a response to support those in the area who may be affected.

For latest road and travel information

For Auckland and Northland

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Short delays Dunedin’s State Highway 88, 27 and 28 March – allow extra travel time

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

Headline: Short delays Dunedin’s State Highway 88, 27 and 28 March – allow extra travel time

Contractors will be carrying out investigative works on the road shoulder, between the Finch Street intersection and Huia Street, from 9am until 3pm on Tuesday, 27 March and Wednesday, 28 March. 

During the work, the east-bound lane will be closed, and stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h speed restriction will be in place. 

Traffic will be monitored to minimise delays however drivers are urged to allow an extra few minutes travel time. 

Ways to find out what is happening on the highway network:

Call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS 0800 44 44 49

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Share your ideas to improve safety on State Highway 1 between Oamaru and Dunedin

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

Headline: Share your ideas to improve safety on State Highway 1 between Oamaru and Dunedin

NZ Transport Agency System Manager Graeme Hall says a team will be at sites in Waitati, Waikouaiti, Hampden, and Oamaru to share information on possible safety improvements and get feedback and ideas from the community.

Feedback can also be given online or by mail until April 15.

“This is an important stretch of highway. It’s the main link between Christchurch and Dunedin and it provides connections to the North Otago, Central Otago and Waitaki regions,” Mr Hall says.

“Local communities along the route are growing and there are a number of popular tourist attractions in the area, such as the Moeraki Boulders. It’s a busy road and we need to improve it, to reduce the number of people being killed or seriously injured in crashes.

“The local people who use this road know it better than anyone else. We’re keen to hear their views on how we could make it safer.”

Mr Hall says the team got great feedback from locals at recent A&P Shows in Palmerston and Oamaru, with people keen to see changes such as new signage and safety barriers installed, along with more directional arrows to help people keep left.

“Personal insights and first-hand knowledge from locals will help us develop the most appropriate safety solutions for this stretch of road. We encourage others to come along to a drop-in event near them and have their say.”

In the 10 years from 2007 to the end of 2016, 30 people were killed and 112 were seriously injured on this stretch of road.

Most serious crashes involved people losing control of their vehicle, running off the road and crashing into roadside objects such as a tree, fence or ditch, or hitting another vehicle head-on. There have also been a significant number of crashes at intersections on the route.

Mr Hall says possible improvements include putting in safety barriers to stop drivers running off the road into steep gullies, ditches, trees and posts, widening the road shoulder to give drivers more room to recover if they lose control, installing rumble strips to alert drivers if they stray across the centreline, and putting in barriers or wide centrelines to help prevent head-on crashes.

Improving safety at intersections and the speed along the road will also be looked at.

“We want to make sure that when drivers make mistakes they don’t result in someone dying or being seriously injured,” Mr Hall says.

Find out more and give feedback online

Give your feedback by mail

Safe Roads
PO Box 1318
Hamilton 3204

Come and meet the team

Sunday, 8 April
Blueskin on Show
Bland Park, Waitati
10am to 4pm

Monday, 9 April
East Otago Events Centre
203 Main Road
Waikouaiti
12pm to 2pm

Tuesday, 10 April
Hampden Hall
25/27 London St
Hampden
10am to 12pm

Tuesday, 10 April
Oamaru Library
62 Thames Street, Oamaru
2pm to 4pm

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