Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is advising people in Tararua to plan ahead and expect some delays on key Tararua routes over the next few weeks, as contractors work hard to improve the safety and resilience of these roads ahead of winter.
Saddle Road will be closed between Ashhurst and Woodville during the day from Monday 20 to Friday 31 March for essential maintenance.
Work will take place between 9am-4pm Monday to Thursday, and 10am-4pm Fridays. Saddle Road will remain open on weekends and people are able to use the road outside the closure times on weekdays.
The detour is the Pahiatua Track. Heavy vehicles travelling westbound should detour via State Highway 2, Bridge Road, Scarborough Road, Mangahao Road, Pahiatua-Mangahao Road, Makomako Road and the Pahiatua Track (reverse for eastbound).
A closure of Saddle Road was planned for February but was cancelled to ensure access to the Hawke’s Bay region in the immediate response to Cyclone Gabrielle.
Waka Kotahi announced yesterday that State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupō will re-open to all traffic during daylight hours (7am to 7pm) from Monday 20 March, following the successful running of freight convoys on the route this week.
From Monday 20 to Saturday 25 March, there will be Stop/Go traffic management on SH2 near Ormond Road in Woodville between 7am and 5pm each day for resurfacing works. This section of SH2 forms part of the detour route for the Saddle Road daytime closures, and the Stop/Go is expected to cause delays of up to ten minutes.
There is also Stop/Go currently in place for resurfacing works on SH2 south of Dannevirke, between Maharahara Road and Kiritaki Road, from 6am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday until Thursday 6 April.
Waka Kotahi System Manager Manawatū-Whanganui, Rob Service, says with the days getting colder and shorter, the maintenance season is rapidly coming to an end and Waka Kotahi needs to get these important works completed as soon as possible.
We know these closures and delays can be disruptive, especially when there are other road closures in place on key routes across the North Island, however, they help to ensure our roads support safe, reliable journeys throughout the region.
People are asked to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys if traveling through the two Stop/Go sites.
The above works may be postponed at short notice in the event of poor weather. People are encouraged to visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website for up-to-date information on roadworks, road closures, traffic and delays.
Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website(external link)
Waka Kotahi thanks everyone for their patience and understanding as crews carry out these essential works to help keep our roads safe for everyone who uses them.
