Safety works begin this week on State Highway 1 Ngauranga Gorge – pathway closure planned

Pedestrians, cyclists, and regular users of State Highway 1 Ngauranga Gorge, need to be ready for safety works beginning this Wednesday 16 November.

Update: Earlier this week we sent out a Traffic Bulletin about a planned closure of the southbound path on Ngauranga Gorge.

This closure had been due to begin tonight (Wednesday 16 November) at 7 pm.

However, this has been postponed, and the path will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists. We will inform you as soon as a new date for these works is confirmed.

Contractors are beginning preparations for rockfall prevention works planned for the Christmas/New Year holiday period.

It means the southbound path, from Newlands to the southbound offramp will be closed later this week. This is for the safety of contractors and the public.

Closure Details:

• The southbound shared path will be closed from 7pm Wednesday, 16 November, to 5:30am Monday, 9 January.
• The closure zone is from Newlands to the southbound offramp. There will still be access to the offramp.
• There will be a signposted detour for cyclists and pedestrians to follow to the path on the northbound side of the Gorge.
• Both north and southbound cyclists and pedestrians will be using the same path. Extra care will be needed when passing and consideration shown to other path users.
• Temporary cyclist/pedestrian signal phasing is being installed at the traffic lights at the bottom of the Gorge so cyclists and pedestrians can safely cross Jarden Mile and Hutt Road.
• The Wakely Road path will remain open for those commuting from Newlands,

This work is essential. The Ngauranga Gorge is a busy corridor with a particularly steep hill beside it. From time-to-time loose rock and debris falls onto the path and road beneath, creating a safety hazard for highway users.

The major works planned for later this year will see new safety measures installed to help prevent this risk. There will also be a state highway lane closure when these works are done in late December – early January.

Waka Kotahi wants to thank those affected for their patience and understanding while these works take place.