SH4 between Fields Track and Raetihi closed for road works this weekend

The NZ Transport Agency is advising motorists travelling between Whanganui and Raetihi on State Highway 4 this weekend that they will need to factor a detour into their travel plans due to road repairs.

State Highway 4 between Fields Track and Raetihi will be closed from 6.30am to 6.30pm on Saturday 20 August through to the end of Monday 22 August. Detour routes via Fields Track and State Highway 49 will be available for light vehicles. Fields Track is not suitable for heavy vehicles, which will need to detour via State Highways 1 ,3 and 49. The detours mean motorists will need to factor in longer journey times. 

“The road works are necessary to repair slips caused by the June 2015 floods. We appreciate motorists’ patience while this important work to repair and stabilise the road is carried out,” Ross I’Anson, Highway Manager, NZ Transport Agency says. 

“The work is dependent on good weather, so if we are not able to carry out the planned work, it will be undertaken on next available day. We’ll provide updates through Transport Agency’s traffic and travel information section on our website, www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic(external link), on the Transport Agency’s Central North Island Twitter account @NZTACNI and Facebook page www.facebook.com/nztacni(external link). 

“Our 0800 Highways (0800 44 44 49) can also be used both to get the latest state highway travel information as well as to report issues,” Mr I’Anson says. 

Contractors will assist emergency services along the closed stretch of State Highway 4, along with residents who need to access their properties during the road closure. 

Electronic signage will be in place at Tohunga Junction, Waiouru, Bulls and on State Highway 3 north of Whanganui informing motorists of the road closure and detour routes. The detour routes are: 

• Travelling northbound from Whanganui to Raetihi, light vehicles detour via Fields Track (Whangaehu Valley Road) and State Highway 49 through Ohakune. This detour will add approximately 30 minutes to a journey.
• Travelling southbound from Raetihi to Whanganui, light vehicles detour via Ohakune and State Highway 49 to Fields Track (Whangaehu Valley Road). This detour will add approximately 30 minutes to a journey.

The Fields Track detour is not suitable for heavy vehicles. The northbound detour for heavy vehicles is Whanganui to Bulls on State Highway 3, Bulls to Waiouru on State Highway 1, and then Waiouru to Ohakune on State Highway 49, and then on to Raetihi. The southbound detour is the reverse route. These detours will add approximately two hours to a journey.