We’re working on improvements to SH2 in the Wairarapa to make it safer and easier for all users.
The section of SH2 between Masterton and Featherston connects the Wairarapa to Wellington and the central and eastern North Island. It’s important for locals, economic development, and tourism. But the volume of traffic, some intersections, speed, and roadside hazards like poles or ditches meant this was considered a high-risk road. The speed limits were reviewed, and safety improvements were designed and built.
We have completed a safety improvement project between Masterton and Carterton. This included new roundabouts to improve safety at three busy intersections:
We have also added central median wire-rope barriers, a safe turnaround area near the Clareville Saddlery/Hughes Line, and improved line marking and road surfacing along an 8.6km-long stretch of SH2.
Project contractors, Higgins, have completed their work on site between Masterton and Carterton. This means ongoing repairs and maintenance will now be completed by our regular maintenance contractors for the Wellington region, the Wellington Transport Alliance.
Between Masterton and Carterton, the road surface is near the end of its life and has problems in some areas. We know these affect your experience using the road. While we’d planned to do major maintenance work on the surface in the years to come, we’re now planning to do this as soon we can, so that Wairarapa drivers have a safe, resilient highway.
We are also preparing to review the speed limit on this stretch of road, considering the new safety features that have been added, and looking at whether we can set a 100km/h limit. Any change to speed limits requires both public consultation and a safety assessment of the road.
