Stage 1 included stop/go traffic management from 6am to 6pm until February 1. Motorists can expect delays of up to 20 minutes while work is under way. Both lanes of the road will reopen outside this time.
“Stage 2 requires the road to be fully closed for 4 weeks, between February 3 and March 1, so we can complete the repair and reseal on SH27,” Oakley said.
Heavy vehicles are advised to follow VMS board instructions. The HPMV detour will add around 75 minutes to journey times, NZTA said.
“We want to upgrade this road as quickly as we can and using full closures allows us to do this,” Oakley said.
“The state highway network plays a critical role in New Zealander’s lives, and we want to make sure it is up to the standard people expect.
“We appreciate this will cause some disruption, but it will result in a better roading network for everyone to enjoy.”
While Waharoa Rd is closed, there are detour routes available, which will add around 13 minutes to journey times.
Northbound traffic on SH27 will be asked to turn right onto Wardville Rd, then turn left on to Alexandra Rd and then left again on to Diagonal Rd towards SH27 where the detour ends.
Southbound traffic on Walton and Wairere Rds, will be asked to turn left on to SH27, then right on to Diagonal Rd, right again on to Alexandra Rd, another right turn on to Wardville Rd, and proceed towards SH27 where the detour ends.
Southbound traffic on Kereone Rd will proceed on to Diagonal Rd, turn right on to Alexandra Road, turn right again on to Wardville Rd, and proceed towards SH27 where the detour ends.
Southbound traffic on SH27, will turn left onto Diagonal Rd, turn right on to Alexandra Rd, turn right on to Wardville Rd, and proceed towards SH27 where the detour ends.
Meanwhile, major works continue across the state highway network in the wider Waikato region.
SH1 between Tūrangi and Waiouru
Desert Rd fully closed on January 13, and will remain closed for around 8 weeks.
The detour from north to south is via SH41, SH47, SH4, SH49, and back to SH1 in Waiouru, and adds around 30 to 40 minutes to journeys.
To encourage safe driving on the detours, the speed limit of 50km/h on the approach to and through Ohakune has been extended to cover the 70km/h section.
The soft closure point near Tūrangi allows access to the Tongariro National Trout Centre but not to the intersection of SH46.
The replacement of the Mangatoetoenui Bridge deck will be under way until February 21, meaning there is no access across the bridge during this time for anyone.
SH1 South of Tīrau to north of Putāruru
From 7pm to 6am until February 4, SH1 is closed for final resurfacing of the recently rebuilt road.
Traffic will be detoured from SH1 via SH29/SH27, adding approximately eight minutes extra to journeys.
SH25, SH27, SH26, SH29, and SH2
Various pre-chipseals at these locations have started, and will continue until February 15.
The works will take place between 6am to 6pm each weekday with traffic management, and speed restrictions in place.
SH25 Tairua
Works to repair the larger underslip at Pumpkin Hill just north of Tairua are under way, with works expected to be completed in April.
Temporary speed restrictions, a shoulder closure through the site, and stop/go traffic management are in place.
SH25 Onemana
A road rebuild will take place from until February 22 from 6am and 6pm, between Normans Access Rd and Liddell Rd. Stop/go traffic management will be in place with up to 20 minutes of delays expected.
SH26 Onetai Stream Bridge Replacement
Works have begun to replace the bridge on SH26 between Puriri and Hikutaia, and the road requires closure to traffic for up to four weeks while the bridge is demolished, and the new bridge deck is installed.
The closure will be from February 10 until early March.
The road reopened this week with lane closures still in place for two weeks, with both lanes open for Waitangi weekend.
Northbound traffic will use SH2, Orchard and Bush Rds and SH25. Southbound traffic will use SH25, Hauraki Road and SH2. There will be access to all businesses along SH26 throughout construction.
SH5 Mamaku Ranges
A road rebuild is under way, with stop/go traffic management in place between 6am to 6pm. The work will continue through to mid-March with 10-minute delays expected.
SH1/5 Taupō
Drivers travelling near the Taupō Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre – under construction on the corner of the SH1/5 roundabout – need to be aware of changing road layouts and speed restrictions from Monday, February 10.
Contractors will be installing weigh-in-motion scales, camera technology, and signs on five of the roads heading towards the safety centre, including SH1 and SH5.
Temporary lanes and speed restrictions will be in place until May.
SH1 Tamahere Northbound on-ramp
On February 11, from 8pm to 5pm, the northbound on-ramp at the Tamahere Interchange will be closed for resurfacing works.
Motorists will need to use the southbound on-ramp, travel southbound to the Victoria Rd Interchange, and return northbound.
SH1 Tamahere Interchange
From February 12 to 13 between 8pm and 5pm, road resurfacing takes place on the left lane of SH1 Waikato Expressway, Cambridge section, Tamahere and on the southbound on-ramp.
SH1 Waikato Expressway will be reduced to one lane from the SH21 Tamahere Interchange for 1.5km. All vehicles using on-ramps will be detoured via SH1B Victoria Rd Interchange or SH26 Hillcrest Roundabout.
SH1/SH29 Piarere intersection
Two out of three permanent approach roads (SH1, from Tīrau and SH29) have opened on the SH1/SH29 roundabout in Piarere.
The temporary Hamilton approach road remains in use while work continues on the permanent configuration, which is expected to be finished in March.
SH3 Ōhaupō township
A road rebuild has started on SH3 on Ōhaupō Rd in the township, expected to be completed in February.
Northbound light vehicles will be detoured 24/7 via Ryburn Rd and Forkert Rd, adding approximately 8 minutes to the journey, and the southbound lane will remain open to all traffic.
Heavy vehicles including buses, and overweight and over-dimension vehicles will be allowed through the worksite with delays of up to 30 minutes.
SH30 Bennydale
A second road rebuild site near Kiwi Place is under way, expected to be complete by February.
Enabling works will be done first between 7am and 7pm each day with stop/go traffic management in place.
Once the site has been prepared the road rebuild will start, with stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h in place. Delays of up to 20 minutes can be expected.
Works are weather dependant and motorists are advised to visit NZTA’s journey planner or website for up-to-date information.
