Safe, resilient, reliable state highways are the priority across Tairāwhiti, as the summer maintenance season ramps up in addition to cyclone recovery work.
The 2024/25 summer maintenance season is now underway.
During the course of the maintenance season, which typically runs from now until March when the weather is warmer and drier, it’s anticipated that approximately 11.8 lane kilometres* of state highway in the region will be renewed.
Renewing the road involves removing the existing road surface and underlying structure and replacing it with new materials.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations Rua Pani says this summer is set to be one of the biggest roadwork seasons the region has seen.
“Summer, with its warmer, drier, calmer weather, is always a better time to renew and reseal roads.
“This year, the annual renewals programme includes major road renewal work on both State Highway 2 and State Highway 35.
“Renewing a road is the best way to boost the resilience and durability of a road. When we talk about renewing a road during the summer maintenance season, it’s not redesigning the road, rather it involves removing the existing road surface and underlying structure and renewing it with new materials.
“Undertaking a higher number of road renewals is a key priority in the region. This is how we improve road conditions long-term,” says Ms Pani.
NZTA crews will be working alongside Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) alliance crews who are currently carrying out other cyclone recovery work throughout the region, alongside local contractors.
TREC project spokesman Richard Bayley says there’s a whole raft of activity underway, in addition to the summer maintenance programme.
“Crews are continuing repair and recovery work on cyclone damaged sections of the highway - stabilising areas to help prevent slips, restoring the Rotokautuku (Waiapu) Bridge and other bridges, and preparing to start larger projects such as replacing Hikuwai Bridge No.1.
“Work to finish Connecting Tairāwhiti programme sites is also continuing – installing slow vehicle bays, laybys and other resilience work,” says Mr Bayley.
“It’s a busy time of year for the region as a whole, with lots of different events planned.
“We all like to get to our destination as quickly and safely as possible. We’re mindful that this work is going to be diusruptive for local communities, for road users and businesses.
“It’s the support from the region’s communities since the cyclone which has helped us get to this point. We’re doing what we can to schedule work in a way that minimises delays. However, road users will notice longer travel at times, as a result of the summer works.
“We’re strongly urging people to expect those delays and plan ahead.
“Ultimately all this work will lead to more efficient travel and safer, more resilient roads,” says Mr Bayley.
The season’s work is funded through the State Highway Maintenance and Pothole Prevention activity classes in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
