Category: Transport

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Auckland’s state highways are getting a makeover for Christmas.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises key maintenance and improvement works will get underway on State Highway 1 Central Motorway Junction and the Auckland Harbour Bridge from Thursday 26 December. There will also be work on State Highway 16 in the Port area getting underway early in the new year.

Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations, Jacqui Hori-Hoult, says while most state highway works stop before busy holiday travel periods like Christmas and New Year to minimise disruption to people’s journeys, fewer people on the roads in the central city makes the holiday period an ideal time to undertake critical maintenance on some of Auckland’s busiest state highways.

“Traffic volumes are at their lowest at this time of year, giving our teams the best opportunity to carry out this work.

“We will be working hard to keep disruption to a minimum. However, you may experience delays and we ask that you plan your journey.

“If you’re travelling through Auckland and want to bypass the maintenance work being carried out on SH1 on the Auckland Harbour Bridge and city centre we recommend taking the Western Ring Route. The route carries traffic between SH1 Constellation Drive and SH1 Manukau using SH18, SH16 and SH20.”

Ms Hori-Hoult asks those travelling over this period to be kind to our people working on the road and bridge, spending their time away from their whānau over the holidays, by travelling to the posted speed limits and being patient.

“We care about our team and believe everyone should be able to return home safely to their whānau at the end of the day. 

“Reduce your speed, adhere to the temporary speed limits and follow the traffic management directions at our work sites.”

SH1/SH16 Central Motorway (Spaghetti) Junction 9pm 26 December – 5am 6 January: replacement of a bridge joint on southbound lanes between the Symonds Street and Grafton Road overbridges.

There will be a combination of lane reductions during the day and full closures overnight on SH1. Ramp and link closures will be in place and signposted detours will be available.

Symonds Street southbound on-ramp and SH16 eastbound to SH1 southbound link will be closed for the duration of the works.  

Delays are expected and people are encouraged to use the Western Ring Route and SH20 where possible to avoid congestion.

SH1 Auckland Harbour Bridge 2am 26 December – 5am 6 January: resurfacing of southbound clip-on lanes (lanes 1 & 2), followed by bridge maintenance work under the northbound clip-on lanes (lanes 1 & 2).

The Auckland Harbour Bridge requires special surfacing material, which takes longer to cure. We use the Christmas/New Year period for resurfacing, when traffic volumes are lower.

There will be lane restrictions 24/7 but traffic will still be able to travel in both directions at all times.

Recoating of the overarch section of the bridge is taking place from 24 November 2024 and 27 March 2025. This work will be carried out in night shifts (7pm – 4am).

Delays are expecte and motorists are encouraged to use SH16 & SH18 Western Ring Route where possible to avoid congestion.

SH16 Port area January – April 2025

There are several improvement projects to complete in the Port area next year. We appreciate this will be disruptive for the for the community and motorists. To minimise the disruption, we will be carrying these out together, reducing the need for additional closures throughout the year.

To carry out this work safely we will be putting in full lane closures during the weekend and lane restrictions on weeknights. Our team will be working to complete these projects as quickly as possible. Detours will be in place for motorists but access to businesses and residents along SH16 may be affected.

For the full schedule please visit:

SH1 and SH16 summer works – December 2024 to March 2025(external link)

Some works are weather dependent, and people are advised to check the NZTA Journey Planner website for up-to-date information on road works, traffic, delays and disruption.

Journey planner(external link)

NZTA thanks everyone for their patience while we undertake these important works to improve the safety and efficiency of Auckland’s state highway network.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises of the following closures for motorway improvements.
Work delayed by bad weather will be completed at the next available date, prior to Friday, 20 December 2024.

Please note this Traffic Bulletin is updated every Friday.

Daily updated closure information(external link) 

Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am. Traffic management may be in place before the advertised closure times for the mainline.

NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

• Southbound lanes between Orewa off-ramp and Silverdale on-ramp, 16 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Grand Drive southbound on-ramp, 16 December
  • Millwater southbound on-ramp, 16 December
• Stafford Road northbound off-ramp, 15-16 December

CENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)

• Southbound lanes between Fanshawe Street off-ramp and Grafton on-ramp, 15-19 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Hobson Street southbound on-ramp, 15-19 December
  • Symonds Street southbound on-ramp, 15-19 December
• SH16 eastbound to SH1 southbound link, 15-19 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• Westbound lanes between Stanley Street off-ramp and Grafton Road on-ramp, 15-19 December

SOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)

• Southbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Ramarama on-ramp, 15-17 December
  • Drury/SH22 southbound on-ramp, 15-17 December
• Bombay southbound off-ramp, 15-19 December
• Bombay northbound on-ramp 16-18 December
• Beaver Road northbound on-ramp, 15-19 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)
• Beaver Road northbound off-ramp, 15-19 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)
• Nikau Road northbound on-ramp, 15-19 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)

NORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)

• Southbound lanes between Waimauku roundabout and Trigg Rd, 15 & 18 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)
• Northbound lanes between Trigg Rd and Waimauku roundabout, 15 & 18 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)
• Southbound lanes between Waimauku roundabout and Foster Rd, 16-17 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)
• Northbound lanes between Foster Rd and Waimauku roundabout, 16-17 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)
• Southbound lanes between Access Road and Taupaki Road roundabout, 16-18 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• Northbound lanes between Taupaki Road roundabout and Access Road, 16-18 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
• Southbound lanes between Brigham Creek Roundabout off-ramp and Hobsonville Road on-ramp, 17-18 December (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)
• Northbound lanes between Hobsonville Road off-ramp and Brigham Creek Roundabout on-ramp, 17-18 December (approx. 9:30pm to 5:00am)

UPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)

• Eastbound lanes between Tauhinu Road off-ramp and Albany Highway on-ramp, 18 December
  • Greenhithe Road eastbound on-ramp, 18 December
• Westbound lanes between Squadron Drive off-ramp and Hobsonville Road on-ramp, 17 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)
  • Brigham Creek Road westbound on-ramp, 17 December
  • SH18 westbound to SH16 southbound link, 17 December
• Brigham Creek Road eastbound off-ramp, 15-16 December
• Brigham Creek Road eastbound on-ramp, 15-16 December
• Squadron Drive eastbound on-ramp, 15-16 December

SOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)

• Neilson Street southbound on-ramp, 18 December

GEORGE BOLT MEMORIAL DRIVE (SH20A)

• None planned

PUHINUI ROAD (SH20B)

• None planned

STATE HIGHWAY 22 (SH22)

• None planned

STATE HIGHWAY 2 (SH2)

• None planned

Please follow the signposted detours. NZ Transport Agency thanks you for your co-operation during these essential improvements and maintenance.

To check for the most current overnight closure information please visit Journey planner before you leave.

Journey planner – Auckland(external link)

Auckland roads and public transport:

at.govt.nz(external link)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Crews will be onsite between Tuesday 7 January and Friday 7 March each weekday* between 6am and 6pm.

During this work, crews will be carrying out two road rebuilds, drainage improvements, resurfacing, bridge deck repairs and general maintenance.

The road will be closed between Alve Road and the intersection with State Highway 57. A detour will be in place, via SH57 through Tokomaru or SH1 through Foxton.

Access to residents, businesses and the school will be available throughout these works, and people will be asked to speak to the onsite crew.

Outside the 6am to 6pm closures, the road will be open and a 30km/h temporary speed limit will be in place for safety.

These detours are expected to add up to 15 minutes to people’s journey times.

Detour map

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi thanks road users for their support of this work which aims to strengthen this section of road and improve its long-term condition; ultimately improving travel times and minimising future disruptions.

*Weekend Closures

While most of the work will be carried out during weekday closures, some weekend work will be required.

At this stage, the scheduled weekends of work with the closure and detour in place for are:

• 11-12 January
• 18-19 January
• 25-26 January 2025
• 1-2 February
• 8-9 February
• 15-16 February

These works are dependent on various factors including weather and may be postponed at short notice.

Further information about road maintenance can be found on our NZTA webpage:

Manawatū-Whanganui region maintenance programme

State Highway 1 Tīrau to Waiouru Accelerated Maintenance

State Highway 1 Tūrangi to Waiouru – including the Desert Road – will be closed for vital road rebuilding and repairs for around 2 months from Monday 13 January 2025.

Desert Road closure now from mid-January

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

The work will begin on Tuesday 7 January and is expected to be complete on Wednesday 22 January.

Crews will be working on site from 6pm to 6am, resurfacing this stretch of road between Fagan St and the SH1/3 intersection.

For the first week of the programme (Tuesday 7 – Wednesday 15 January), the section of road between Daniell Street and the SH1/3 intersection will be closed. A detour will be in place, taking traffic through Criterion Street to avoid the closure.

Following the closure, stop/go traffic management will remain in place from Thursday 16 January to Wednesday 22 January to allow crews to complete the road maintenance work.

The detour and delays are expected to add less than 5 minutes to the journey time. Outside of working hours, the road will be open with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place.

Following this (from Wednesday 22 to Wednesday 29 January), further road maintenance is planned in Bulls on SH1 Bridge Street. Stop/go will be in place at night between Gorton Street and the Bulls Bridge while road patching is completed.

In the event of bad weather, work will begin on the next fine day and may extend the programme out.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi thanks all road users for taking the detour and for their support while we work to boost resilience of this stretch of road.

Bulls intersection detour map

Further information about road maintenance can be found on our NZTA webpage:

Manawatū-Whanganui region maintenance programme

Other road maintenance in Rangitīkei

In Rangitīkei, the road rebuild on SH1 near Rata has been completed, as well as asphalt resurfacing at the SH1/Kakariki Road intersection. Rebuild and maintenance work on SH54 north of Vinegar Hill is also complete. Other upcoming rebuild sites include SH1 north of Mangaweka and the SH1 passing lane north of Bulls. A number of reseals are also planned throughout the region, including on SH1 & SH3. 

State Highway 1 Tīrau to Waiouru Accelerated Maintenance

State Highway 1 Tūrangi to Waiouru – including the Desert Road – will be closed for vital road rebuilding and repairs for around 2 months from Monday 13 January 2025.

Desert Road closure now from mid-January

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Urgent repairs are planned for the Pelorus Bridge on State Highway 6 on Tuesday, 17 December.

The work is needed to repair an area of decking to ensure the bridge is resilient for all traffic over the holiday season before a permanent fix is completed next year.

The damage was confirmed following a structural inspection earlier this week. It poses no imminent risk to the public, but the repairs are being done proactively given the bridge is a critical infrastructure link.

All traffic on State Highway 6 will be held at each end of the Pelorus Bridge for up to 30 minutes on Tuesday 17 December between 6 am and 3 pm while the repairs are completed. Because it is a single-lane bridge, it cannot be kept open while the work is underway.

Contractors will be on harnesses working under the bridge, while other crew repair the bridge deck. The team will work hard to reopen the bridge as quickly as possible. However, drivers travelling between Blenheim and Nelson should plan for travel delays.

With other roadworks on State Highway 6 between Nelson and Blenheim, NZTA/Waka Kotahi recommends drivers allow an extra 45-minutes travel time next Tuesday (17 December).

NZTA/Waka Kotahi thanks road users for their patience and understanding while these essential repairs are completed.

Updates on the highway’s status can be found on Journey planner:

Highway Conditions – Nelson/Marlborough(external link)

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Construction on the new 60-metre roundabout in Piarere is approaching another milestone, with the first completed approach roads set to open.

The roundabout opened to traffic in September 2024 with 2 temporary approach roads in action while work continued on the 3 permanent approaches.

This change will see traffic from all three of the legs approaching the roundabout using the roundabout.

Acting Regional Manager Infrastructure Delivery Waikato/Bay of Plenty for NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Bruce Waugh, says road workers are making great progress and are preparing to open the new and permanent SH1 (from Tīrau) and SH29 approaches in mid-December.

“The temporary layout has operated well but we’re looking forward to the next phase, which is 1 step closer to a completed roundabout.”

Mr Waugh says traffic will be moved onto the new approach roads during the day, Tuesday 17 December.

“We’re keeping the road open while the switch is made – no road closures or stop/go are needed; however, motorists should prepare for minor delays in the area. We expect both roads to be opened by the end of the day.”

Prior to the switch, line marking will be undertaken under stop/go on Monday 16 December from 8pm to 4am (weather dependent). Motorists should expect delays of around 10 minutes during this time.

The opening of these approaches will see the current tie-in road for Tīrau traffic become an access lane for nearby properties.

The temporary Hamilton approach road will remain in use while work continues on the permanent configuration, which is expected to be finished in early 2025.

All construction is on track to be completed in mid-2025. Once finished, the roundabout will improve efficiency, connectivity, and safety on this very important high-volume route.

NZTA thanks motorists for their patience and asks drivers to stick to temporary speed limits and take extra care when travelling through the area while people adjust to the new layout.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

If you are a regular user of State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill, there are important dates you need to put in your diary.

Roxanne Hilliard, Wellington Alliance Manager, says dates are confirmed for planned night closures for the first half of 2025

“We are getting these dates out as early as possible, so people know exactly what is happening and when. The sooner people know, the sooner they can plan ahead.”

“If you travel over the Remutaka Hill regularly, please make sure these dates are in your diaries and calendars,” Ms Hilliard says.

State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill, planned night closures. January – June 2025:

Nights Closed	Start 9 pm	Finish 4 am
5	23 February	28 February
1	9 March	10 March
5	6 April	11 April
1	18 May	19 May
1	15 June	16 June

Ms Hilliard says the good news is there will be far fewer closures compared to the 31 that were scheduled for the same period last year.

“Road crews made the most of the nine weeks of night closures that were needed to fix an underslip on the Featherston side of the hill  between October and early December. As well as fixing the slip, they used the closure to complete a wide range of other maintenance jobs – road resurfacing, rock scaling, drainage works, clearing vegetation, and repairing and replacing signs.”

“It means we need fewer week-long night closures next year, which we hope will be good news for drivers. It will mean fewer disruptions for them,” Ms Hilliard says.

The closures are timed to avoid as many major events as much as possible and Ms Hilliard says this is carefully planned.

“We know night closures are disruptive and that’s why we try and avoid having them during school holidays, or when there are major local events on like the Wairarapa Wine Harvest Festival or the Martinborough Fair.”

“Most importantly, there will be no closures over the period when the Wairarapa Rail Line will be closed for maintenance. It means the Remutaka Hill will be open and available for expected heavier traffic volumes,” Ms Hilliard says.

Because highway over  Remutaka Hill is narrow and windy, there is often not enough space to  accommodate traffic and maintenance equipment. Full closures mean maintenance works can be finished faster and are safer for road crews. It also reduces traffic management costs.

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 can be made online on the Waka Kotahi website –
  Remutaka Hill Closure Escort Booking Form(external link)
• 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 cannot be accommodated.
• Full access is always available for emergency services.

More information about planned maintenance closures for Remutaka Hill can be found on our website:

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Crews repairing Rotokautuku (Waiapu) Bridge on State Highway 35, near Ruatoria, will carry out two further bridge lifts tomorrow – Wednesday 11th December.

Work has been underway since October, with a number of bridge lifts required to make the improvements – these involve closing the bridge to traffic under a stop-stop traffic arrangement and raising it a few millimetres at a time.

Traffic bulletin – 18 October

The two additional bridge lifts will be undertaken tomorrow under two separate 10-minute stop-stops between 9am and 3pm and road users are advised to plan their journey.

While the bridge remains structurally sound, repairs to the bearings and cross bracing are needed to restore the damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Further bridge lifts and details will be communicated in the new year.

Please be tolerant and respectful of our crews out on site – they’d appreciate a friendly wave.

Road workers are out in all weather and do their best to keep everyone moving. They’re helping to keep you safe.

We appreciate the work we are doing is having a direct impact on people’s day to day lives and can be frustrating – but the people out there on the worksites are local, your friends and whānau and we want to make sure they make it home safe each night.  

We have a busy summer construction season ahead of us and this summer, roadworkers are out across the country making improvements. Expect delays and allow extra time before you travel.