Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises strengthening work on the Omoko Bridge on State Highway 2 in the Waioeka Gorge will get underway from Monday (8 March 2021).
Omoko Bridge is the second of six bridges to be strengthened as part of the SH2 Waioeka gorge HPMV bridge strengthening project, after Aro Aro Bridge was strengthened in early 2020.
There will be a lane closure under Stop/Go traffic management, with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place, from Monday 8 to Friday 12 March between the hours of 6am and 7pm.
Motorists should expect delays of 5-10 minutes during these hours. Over dimension vehicles may be delayed by up to 20 minutes while equipment is moved to allow them past.
The route will be closed to vehicles heavier than high productivity motor vehicles (HPMV) for two weeks in mid-April while the reinforcing product is applied. A single lane closure will be in place day and night for all other traffic during this period and Waka Kotahi is continuing to work with our contractors and engineers to consider options to reduce disruption during this period.
Elsewhere in the Waioeka Gorge, significant road repairs approximately 3-4km north of the Omoko Bridge will get underway from Monday (8 March) and are expected to last approximately three weeks. There will be Stop/Go traffic management and temporary speed limits in place. Delays of 5-10 minutes are expected.
There is also resurfacing work scheduled to begin on Monday (8 March) at the Omaukoro Bridge, north of Wairata Road. Lane closures with Stop/Go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place, with frequent full road closures of approximately 20 minutes. Motorists should expect delays of up to 30 minutes. This work is expected to take 1-2 days to complete.
Motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.
In the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, work may be postponed. Visit the interactive Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website(external link) for the latest information on roadworks, traffic, road closures and detours to help plan your trip.
Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience while we undertake these important works.
Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey this summer. Keep up to date with:
