Roading crews will be turning their attention to a stretch of State Highway 2 just north of Waipawa from January.
The road rebuild will be carried out in stages from 13 January to the end of March. Crews will focus on a 500 metre stretch of SH2, between Tamumu Road and Victoria Street.
Work will initially be focussed on installing new kerbs and improving channels. This is a continuation of the kerb and channel work undertaken in this section earlier this year.
Once the kerbs and channels are completed, crews will start rebuilding the road surface. This will involve recycling the existing road materials with cement added to the road, to improve and extend the life of the road and improve the journey through this section.
“Our crews will be working days and some nights to speed up the works and complete the job as quickly as possible,” says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations Rua Pani.
“There will be different traffic management set ups at different stages of the work which will be communicated before the works begin. We advise road users to please expect short delays through this worksite at times and to plan their journeys accordingly.”
“We know this work will involve some disruption for road users and residents, and for local businesses and communities in the area. We also know Waipawa has already seen its fair share of work during earlier improvements on the main street and we are working with Central Hawkes’ Bay District Council (CHBDC) to minimise the impact these works will have on the community.”
“We know State Highway 2 needs this work and it's long overdue," said Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Alex Walker.
“It’s going to be tough on the community and everyone passing through, but we’re pushing for NZTA to get in and get the job done quickly. We’re focussed on making sure the impacts are managed as much as possible and that everyone knows what to expect."
This work is part of a larger NZTA road renewal programme aimed at improving the safety and reliability of the Hawke’s Bay region’s state highways.
“Ultimately, this work will improve the efficiency of travel for all road users, hopefully minimising disruptions in future,” says Ms Pani.
