The State Highway 1 Desert Road closure that is underway now is being extended until at least 7am Saturday morning.
The road closed at 7am Thursday 19 April to enable the second part of the concrete deck to be poured on the Waihohonu Stream Bridge. The bridge was damaged in a crash last year.
The NZ Transport Agency says testing has revealed the concrete is not yet strong enough for the bridge to be opened to one lane so the closure will be extended for safety reasons.
The agency says people should call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS or check the website(external link) before leaving for their journey through the Desert Road.
Outside of the closure times people can expect the bridge to be down to one lane, with some short closures of around 5 minutes. There is a 30km/h limit in place.
The detour route during the closure is State Highways 46, 47, 4, and 49. This detour is not suitable for vehicles over 46 tonnes, apart from 50MAX which is permitted. High productivity motor vehicles can use the SH3 and SH3A route between Hamilton and Bulls.
Vehicles with over-weight loads or over-dimension loads wider than 3.0 metres are unable to use the Desert Road section of SH1.
The bridge is expected to be open to two-way traffic without any restriction from 6 May.
People can check all current road closures here or by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS:
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