Tākaka Hill highway, SH60, closures overnight next week for urgent repairs

Due to the recent heavy rainfall and slips on Tākaka Hill, there will be overnight closures next week of the hill route connecting Golden Bay to Riwaka, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

The closures start on Monday 9 August, from 9pm to 5am the next morning, and run right through the week to the following Sunday night, 15 August.

Urgent repairs are needed as a result of the storm damage in a number of places. 

Despite the recent damage, the Tākaka Hill repair team working on the five deep sites are aiming to have the highway back to two lanes by Christmas. The aim of the night closures is to ensure the work remains on track to achieve this, as well as for safety and to minimise daytime disruption to road users.

“Emergency services will be able to use the road at all times,” says Waka Kotahi Journey Manager Tresca Forrester.

Recent emergency repairs underway.

• In the event of bad weather, these works will be carried out on the next fine night so check for updates or changes(external link) 
• More night closures are programmed for culvert installations and pavement: from 23 August for seven nights and 6 September for seven nights. There may be one more in October. These works will take place in the live traffic lanes, so the road has to be closed for everyone’s safety.
• If you are a night shift worker or must travel over the hill, please email takakahill@nzta.govt.nz or call Kane Reihana on 027 886 4508.
• Latest newsletter on this project and photos after the recent slips(external link)

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic(external link)
• Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAsouthisland(external link)
• Twitter Top of the South: twitter.com/WakaKotahiTotS(external link)
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)