Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
State Highway 56 through Opiki in the Manawatū-Whanganui region has now reopened, following a raft of maintenance work.
Since January, crews have been hard at work carrying out two road rebuilds, improving drainage, resurfacing and completing general maintenance along the section of highway between Alve Road and the intersection with SH57.
SH56 through Opiki sits on top of an old swamp and has been known to be a bumpy drive. While the state highway received routine maintenance, significant road rebuilds were also included in our 2024/25 road renewal season.
At Opiki, our recently completed renewal work has removed the historical bumps and hallows in the road, re-strengthened the pavement layers, and improved the quality of the surface to ensure a smoother ride for road users.
When we rebuild a section of the road and apply a chipseal finish we need to come back later to carry out a second coat seal. This locks in the seal to make it waterproof, keeps it stronger and safer for longer, and helps reduce the likelihood of flushing occurring. That work will be communicated closer to the time.
“The past 2 months has caused disruption, however by closing for 2 months, our crews have been able to complete more work, more quickly than if the road was under stop/go traffic management,” says Liesl Dawson, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi System Manager for Manawatū-Whanganui.
“To maximise the use of the closure and available resource, a third rebuild was added to this work programme. Crews have nearly finished this additional worksite, and while the closure is lifted, please expect some stop/go temporary traffic management on a section of SH56 near the Manawatū River (Opiki) Bridge. This final work is expected to be completed tomorrow (Wednesday).”
“We’re grateful for everyone’s support during this period – SH56 is an important route connecting Palmerston North to Shannon and further south. The maintenance carried out over the past 2 months will ensure the state highway remains a resilient and reliable route for local communities and for commuters who use the road,” says Ms Dawson.
