POSTPONED: SH49 will not be under stop/go traffic management at the Tangiwai Crossing this weekend, as planned maintenance of the rail crossing has been postponed.
Kiwirail has agreed to postpone this work to avoid causing road users additional delays while State Highway 49 is part of the alternative route for the Desert Road closure. New dates for the Tangiwai rail crossing works to be advised shortly.
This updates the bulletin below.
6 March:
Road users on State Highway 49 (SH49), northwest of Waiouru, should prepare for delays over 2 weekends this month, while KiwiRail undertakes urgent maintenance on the Tangiwai Rail Crossing.
To enable KiwiRail to undertake this work safely, SH49 will be down to 1 lane under stop/go traffic management at the Tangiwai Crossing this weekend, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March, and again on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March (weather dependent).
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) appreciates there is increased traffic using SH49 currently as it is the main detour while State Highway 1 (SH1) is closed between Rangipō and Waiouru, as part of the Tīrau to Waiouru Accelerated Maintenance programme.
SH1 between Rangipō and Waiouru (including the Desert Road) is on track to reopen mid-March (weather dependent).
NZTA thanks road users for their patience while KiwiRail completes this important work at Tangiwai and our team completes the vital road rebuilding and bridge repairs on SH1.
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