Daytime road closures are planned from next week as preparations for repairs to the Tauwharenikau Bridge on State Highway 5 are carried out.
Wellington Transport Alliance crews will be on the job for two weeks from Tuesday, 23 January through to Wednesday, 7 February.
They will install scaffolding on the bridge, allowing work crews to perform maintenance and repairs. Bearings on the bridge have been corroding and need to be replaced. This will make the bridge safer for all road users.
State Highway 53 will be closed to all traffic between Camp Road and No 1 Line on weekdays (Mon-Fri) from 7 am to 5 pm. The highway will be open to traffic at night, on weekends, and on the Waitangi Day (6 February) public holiday.
For safety reasons, vehicles cannot use the bridge while the scaffolding is installed. However, the full closure will allow the work to be completed faster.
Local road detours are available via Camp Road and No 1 Line. Camp Road is unsuitable for heavy vehicles, and freight operators should detour via State Highway 2 and No. 1 Line at Tauwharenīkau.
The detour will create longer traffic times, and drivers may experience queues turning on and off State Highway 2. Road users should factor this into their travel plans and allow extra time for their journeys.
NZTA/Waka Kotahi appreciates this work will create disruptions and delays for residents and road users. However, this is essential maintenance work on an important state highway link. We appreciate your patience and cooperation while this work is completed.
Further work on the bridge is planned in February and March. Work crews will replace the bridge’s bearings. The bridge and State Highway 53 will be open to traffic while this work is done. Further updates will be provided before the next phase of work begins.
View larger printable map of SH3 Tauwharenikau Bridge work area and detour map [PDF, 111 KB]
