Delays for gorge travellers

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

Motorists travelling through the Waioeka Gorge can expect delays from Monday as Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency starts strengthening work on Omoko Bridge on State Highway 2.

Omoko is the second of six bridges to be strengthened as part of the SH2 Waioeka Gorge HPMV (high productivity motor vehicles) bridge strengthening project.

There will be a lane closure under stop/go traffic management, with a 30kmh temporary speed limit from Monday to Friday between 6am and 7pm.

“Motorists should expect delays of five to 10 minutes during these hours. Over-dimension vehicles may be delayed by up to 20 minutes while equipment is moved to allow them past,” a statement said.

“The route will be closed to vehicles heavier than high productivity motor vehicles (HPMV) for two weeks in mid-April while the reinforcing product is applied. A single-lane closure will be in place day and night for all other traffic during this period and Waka Kotahi is continuing to work with our contractors and engineers to consider options to reduce disruption.

“Elsewhere in the Waioeka Gorge, significant road repairs approximately 3km to 4km north of the Omoko Bridge will get under way from Monday and are expected to last approximately three weeks.

“There is also resurfacing work scheduled to begin on Monday at the Omaukoro Bridge, north of Wairata Road. Lane closures with stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place, with frequent full road closures of approximately 20 minutes. Motorists should expect delays of up to 30 minutes. This work is expected to take one to two days to complete.”