Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises that the Pekatahi Bridge, located north of Tāneatua on State Highway 2, didn’t close today as previously advertised but will close daily for structural maintenance from tomorrow 4 July until Friday 7 July.
Closures will take place daily between 8:30am and 4:30pm to allow contractors to replace a section of handrail, repair broken and loose decking planks and replace the joint cover at the northwest end of the bridge. Due to the narrow width of the bridge a full closure is required to ensure this work can be carried out safely. The closure has been scheduled during the school holidays to minimise disruption to motorists.
A detour will be in place for northbound traffic, using Tāneatua Road, Arawa Road, Hinemoa Street and onto State Highway 30 towards Awakeri. Southbound traffic should use the same route, in reverse. This detour is expected to add up to 20 minutes to journey times and is suitable for all vehicles, including High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMV).
In addition – the recent bad weather has disrupted planned asphalting between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne.
SH2 between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne will reopen for day-time travel under stop/go management from tomorrow, Tuesday 4 July.
The stretch of highway between Mātāwai and Ormond sustained significant damage as a result of last weekend’s heavy rainfall with slips, debris and movement in the road.
Road users will be piloted through the area daily by our contractor between 7am and 5pm.
Outside of those times the road will remain open and will be actively controlled by traffic lights.
Contractors will still be working in a number of places along SH2 clearing debris and stabilising slips, so the message remains – drive to the conditions, expect delays and the be prepared for the potential of a closure at short notice.