Bad weather means more time needed for resealing work on SH2

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Due to recent poor weather, contractors require an extra three days to complete resealing works on State Highway 2 in the Waioeka Gorge this week. The new completion date is now Friday, November 3.

From Wednesday, November 1, the road will be closed from Waioeka Pa Road to Matawai between the hours of 7am and 5pm each of the three days. During the day there will be three opening periods of 20 minutes each, at 9am, 12pm and 2pm.

Road width through the gorge is narrow, and the confined space makes it challenging to allow road users past the machinery required to reseal roads. Safety of road users and road workers is a core value for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and Higgins, the road maintenance contractor undertaking the work.

Significant planning has taken place to find the best time and method for completing the work while allowing traffic to travel through the gorge.

“We have to balance disruption to road users against efficiency and safety, ” Waka Kotahi acting regional manager maintenance and operations Roger Brady said.

“We acknowledge that these works are disruptive. However, in this instance closing the road is the only way to undertake the work safely.”

Following the closures there will be several days of resealing completed at sections with more width. This will be carried out under stop/go traffic management with temporary speed limits. Overall, almost 20 lane kilometres will be resealed across 24 sites.

All chipseal sites require time to allow the new seal to bed in to the existing road surface. During this time the road will be unmarked with a temporary speed limit, and cones delineating the newly sealed area.

Road users are asked to adhere to any signage, temporary speed limits and instructions from crew members.

The road will be closed between 7am and 9am, 9,20am and 12pm (midday), 12.20pm and 2pm, and between 2.20pm and 5pm.