Tree felling and road repairs spell delays

The Devil's Elbow stretch on State Highwas 2 north of Napier where tree felling is set to take place this week.

Tree felling and the resumption of rain-interrupted highway seal repairs will lead to delays on many of the region's highways over the next week, particularly on State Highway 2 north between Napier and Wairoa.

The Hawke's Bay Regional Council is set to begin a roadside tree-felling programme around the Devil's Elbow stretch through to Tutira and at times traffic will have to be stopped for safety reasons when the trees are coming down.

Stop/go signage will be operating and delays of up to five minutes can be expected.

Delays can also be expected while roading contractors carry out a major repair job on a stretch of the highway around Putorino.

The work involves digging the entire section of surface out and replacing it.

The recent spate of wet weather also put a dampener on getting several resealing and repair programmes across the region's highways wrapped up.

The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) had hoped to get the works completed before the arrival of the Tremains Art Deco Festival and the increased traffic flows it would generate, but the rain put paid to that.

Temporary speed restrictions are in place at work sites at Poukawa and Takapau on SH2 south, with similar restrictions in place on SH50 at Links Rd while repair work is carried out.

Delays up to five minutes can be expected at times.

While delays would be negligible, NZTA Journey Manager for Napier Oliver Postings said motorists also needed to be aware of the expected heavy traffic build-ups in the Evenden Rd region during the running of the Te Matatini Kapa Haka Festival.

The festival is set to kick off on Thursday and traffic is expected to build in the days leading up to it, especially on the expressway, SH2 and SH50.

"It is anticipated to be a very popular event and we are expecting large numbers of vehicles through the Evenden Rd roundabout from the middle through to the end of the week," Mr Postings said.