The Waikare Gorge Bailey bridge closed overnight for two nights while new deck panels were installed as part of multiple improvement works scheduled by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
The Waikare Gorge Bailey bridge closed overnight for two nights while new deck panels were installed as part of multiple improvement works scheduled by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
A raft of further recovery work along State Highway 2 between Napier and Wairoa is planned as crews continue repairing the cyclone-damaged road.
Night work started again at Devil’s Elbow on Sunday.
“It involves shoulder widening, culvert installation, culvert inlet and outlet works, pavement works, asphalt surfacing and guardrail works,” an NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi spokesman said.
“The nightwork is expected to last until late October, with crews aiming to finish the work in the lead-up to Labour weekend.
“These overnight works will take place under the existing traffic management, so people travelling will experience similar travel times as during the day. The only change will be people driving through at night will now see more crew members at various sites throughout the Devil’s Elbow area.”
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has a stack of improvements planned for sections of Wairoa to Napier along State Highway 2 south in the coming months.
The Waikare Gorge Bailey bridge work, on SH2 at Pūtōrino between Wairoa and Napier, continues.
The bridge is closed to all traffic between 9pm and 5am again on Tuesday night.
“There is no viable detour, so please plan ahead,” the spokesman said.
Waikoau Hill rock scaling night works will be carried out from Tuesday.
“Crews will be onsite at Waikoau Hill, just south of Tūtira, working overnight on rock scaling the upper and lower sections of the hillside above the road.”
The work will be carried out five nights a week (not Friday or Saturday nights) between 8pm and 5am, Sundays to Thursdays.
“Because of the Waikare Bailey bridge closure the crew will start rock scaling at 9pm Tuesday,”
“From Wednesday the team will begin their work at 8pm for the duration of the works.”
“The work is expected to be completed by 5am on Friday, October 18.”
During that work, stop/stop traffic management will be place (where both directions are held) for up to 15 minutes.
“This work is a continuation of the rock scaling which began in May and had to be postponed because of the wet weather,” the spokesman said.
“Rock scaling is crucial to ensure all loose material is removed from the hillside.”
Meanwhile, strengthening repairs continue on the Manganuku Bridge on State Highway 2 in the Waioeka Gorge.
NZTA said the repairs, which include steel works, pad repairs and water blasting, will take three months with completion expected at the end of October.
While the work is under way, a temporary speed limit of 30km/h will be in place throughout the worksite.
