Break in busy schedule of road works

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

The Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) alliance has been progressing a busy season of state highway road renewals on the East Coast, in addition to ongoing cyclone recovery and rebuild work.

The road renewal work will continue until March, making the most of the traditional summer season.

“We can only undertake significant road renewals during the warmer, drier months of the year so road users will experience some disruption this summer, particularly if they’re driving long distances during the peak of summer,” said TREC’s Hawke’s Bay journey manager Andre Taylor.

“We understand how frustrating it is to get held up at road works, but this work is crucial to maintain our network.

“We are conscious of the impact works have on customers’ journeys and work to minimise the overall impact on people and the freight industry,” he said.

“This year, the maintenance programme is significantly larger, including some work which was deferred from last maintenance season, as a result of the cyclone.

“The cyclone prevented a large number of reseals to be completed. Reseals help waterproof the pavement — that, coupled with a long winter of particularly heavy rain, has been tough on our roads and the damage means we have a big job ahead,” Mr Taylor said.

“There are still many parts of our network that remain vulnerable.”

To reduce delays to those travelling over the Christmas break, TREC temporarily closed most work sites from Thursday through to Monday, January 8.

“There will still be reduced speed limits, traffic cones and one-lane sections with traffic lights in places. Please take care and follow all signs and temporary speed limits.”

On State Highway 35, crews have been working on road reconstruction at seven locations between Tolaga Bay and Te Araroa. (A reconstruction involves excavating and rebuilding the road.)

“Staying on SH35, crews are working on more than 30 reseal sites between Tikitiki right the way south to Gisborne. These sites will remain under stop/go traffic management and are likely to be completed next month,” Mr Taylor said.

“On State Highway 2, work is planned for 10 road rehabilitations and 42 reseal sites, both north and south of Gisborne.”

Over the coming months, TREC crews will be working at more than 150 maintenance sites across Hawke’s Bay.

Mr Taylor said safety during the festive period was a focus.

“We want you to get to your friends and whānau safely.

“When you’re out on the roads this summer, make safe choices to protect yourself and others. Drive to the speed limit, don’t drink and drive, make sure you’re rested, and plan ahead.

“Due to the level of activity across the network we highly recommend checking the NZTA Journey Planner before starting your journey.”

■  TREC is an alliance set up to plan, organise, and deliver much of the recovery and rebuild work needed on the state highway network along the East Coast. It’s a partnership between NZTA, KiwiRail, Downer, Fulton Hogan and Higgins.