NZTA is working to significantly improve the Hawke’s Bay Expressway from Watchman Road roundabout to Pakipaki by adding two additional lanes. The project is part of the Government’s Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme confirmed in the 2024 Government Policy Statement on Land Transport.
SH2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway is a 27km existing two-lane route. It is the region’s lifeline route, connecting people to the regional hospital and airport. It forms part of the national freight corridor, connecting Napier Port to the wider Central North Island. The expressway carries 29,000 vehicles a day. Due to the region’s growing population and economy, the expressway is reaching capacity in the central section at peak times.
The Hawke’s Bay Expressway project is included in the Government’s Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme, outlined as a priority in the 2024–27 Government Policy Statement on Land Transport.
Roads of National Significance
Subject to approvals and funding, two lanes will be added to the corridor in stages, along with a number of intersection upgrades and new bridges. Most of the land required for this project is designated for road already.
The project is being delivered indicatively in four stages over a number of years, allowing for design of one section to occur in parallel to another.
Stage 1 focuses on improving the section that is most congested during peak traffic, which is the 6.5km section between the roundabouts at Taradale Road and Pākowhai/Links Road. Planning is underway with the aim to deliver the first stage by 2028.
Four-laning the expressway supports national and regional economic growth and productivity by improving capacity, travel time, reliability and safety. It’ll provide a more efficient route to support intercity connectedness and residential growth, and help cater to our rural economy, which is heavily reliant on our roads, rail networks and access to the port.
The benefits of four-laning the expressway have been highlighted a number of times in reports such as the 2012 Heretaunga Plains Transport Study, the 2015 NZTA Napier Port Access business case and others.
The Hawke’s Bay Expressway RoNS project will be assessed for tolling suitability. Following the assessment, if tolling is proposed for the expressway, public consultation will occur prior to a decision being made.
A significant milestone has been reached with the NZTA Board having approved the Stage 1 Investment Case for the Hawke’s Bay Expressway RoNS project. This confirmed the scope of Stage 1 of the project and released funding for detailed design and further Stage 1 enabling works at the Tutaekuri River Bridge.
Confirmed scope of Stage 1 [PDF, 535 KB]
Enabling works at the Tutaekuri River Bridge – soon underway
Enabling works at the Tutaekuri River Bridge site are due to begin in early January 2025. The work will involve tree felling and clearing existing vegetation and topsoil, then using safe repurposed Cyclone Gabrielle silt to raise the level of the land and create a wide, flat surface – like we completed at the Kennedy Road offramp site.
The silt will be compacted and then left to settle. This process speeds up the natural process of compaction, allowing the soil to settle and the sediment to consolidate ahead of further construction works. The settlement process will take around 12 months.
Ground improvements are required at the site to help prepare the land for four-laning, and for taking the permanent weight of the road. This will allow us to build the approaches to the new bridge.
The works will be staged – works will start on the southern side and then move to the northern site of the Tutaekuri River Bridge.
The design of the new two-lane Tutaekuri Bridge will extend into early 2026 and we expect construction to begin in mid-2026 (subject to approvals and funding). The new bridge will take the northbound traffic while the existing bridge will take the southbound traffic.
There will be minimal impact to road users as works will be undertaken off the expressway, on land that is already designated for roading construction. A temporary 70km/h speed limit will be in place for safety reasons past the work site for the duration of the works. Temporary traffic management will be set up on 9 January 2025 and the work is expected to take three months.
This map shows the enabling work sites north and south of the Tutaekuri River Bridge, truck access and exits and the minor realignment of the Rotary Pathway west of the bridge.
View larger version of Tutaekuri River Bridge site map [PDF, 2.3 MB]
Enabling works at the Kennedy Road overpass – now complete
Early enabling works south and north of the Kennedy Road overpass in Napier preparing the ground for future 4-laning construction are now complete.
Both sites will be hydroseeded which helps stabilise the soil and mitigate dust.
The sites will then be left until late 2025. This process speeds up the natural process of compaction, allowing the soil to settle and the sediment to consolidate prior to further construction works commencing.
The area of the shared path that has been removed will remain closed. Cyclists and pedestrians can use alternative routes via Konini Crescent and Downing Ave.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is planning to reinstate the path as part of future construction work to four-lane this section of road.
Kennedy Road overpass south
