Waipawa roadworks: SH2 stretch to get a makeover in January

A section of State Highway 2, otherwise known as Great North Rd, Waipawa, heading south towards the 500 metres sector due for reconstruction between Tamumu Rd and Victoria St, starting on January 13. Photo / NZME

About 500 metres of highway at the northern end of Waipawa is set for a rebuild starting next month.

The work starts on January 13, focusing on a stretch between Victoria St and Tamumu Rd, and, including some work at night to try to get the work completed as soon as possible to minimise disruption in a town after disruption because of major work on the highway through the town centre.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says the work will initially focus on new kerbs and improving channels, a continuation of kerb and channel work undertaken in this section earlier this year.

Then crews will start rebuilding the road surface, recycling existing road materials with cement added to improve and extend life of the road.

Agency regional manager of maintenance and operations Rua Pani said different traffic management will be advised and set-up at different stages.

“We know this work will involve some disruption for road users and residents, and for local businesses and communities in the area,” Pani said. “We also know Waipawa has already seen its fair share of work during earlier improvements on the main street and we are working with Central Hawkes’ Bay District Council [CHBDC] to minimise the impact these works will have on the community.”

Mayor Alex Walker said: “We know State Highway 2 needs this work and it’s long overdue. It’s going to be tough on the community and everyone passing through, but we’re pushing for NZTA to get in and get the job done quickly.”

The rebuild is part of a larger NZTA road renewal programme aimed at improving the safety and reliability of the Hawke’s Bay region’s state highways, the NZTA says.

Doug Laing is a senior reporter based in Napier with Hawke’s Bay Today, and has 51 years of journalism experience, 41 of them in Hawke’s Bay, in news gathering, including breaking news, sports, local events, issues, and personalities.