Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Safe, resilient, reliable state highways are the priority across Tairāwhiti, as the summer maintenance season ramps up in addition to cyclone recovery work.
The 2024/25 summer maintenance season is now underway.
During the course of the maintenance season, which typically runs from now until March when the weather is warmer and drier, it’s anticipated that approximately 11.8 lane kilometres* of state highway in the region will be renewed.
Renewing the road involves removing the existing road surface and underlying structure and replacing it with new materials.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations Rua Pani says this summer is set to be one of the biggest roadwork seasons the region has seen.
“Summer, with its warmer, drier, calmer weather, is always a better time to renew and reseal roads.
“This year, the annual renewals programme includes major road renewal work on both State Highway 2 and State Highway 35.
“Renewing a road is the best way to boost the resilience and durability of a road. When we talk about renewing a road during the summer maintenance season, it’s not redesigning the road, rather it involves removing the existing road surface and underlying structure and renewing it with new materials.
“Undertaking a higher number of road renewals is a key priority in the region. This is how we improve road conditions long-term,” says Ms Pani.
NZTA crews will be working alongside Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) alliance crews who are currently carrying out other cyclone recovery work throughout the region, alongside local contractors.
TREC project spokesman Richard Bayley says there’s a whole raft of activity underway, in addition to the summer maintenance programme.
“Crews are continuing repair and recovery work on cyclone damaged sections of the highway – stabilising areas to help prevent slips, restoring the Rotokautuku (Waiapu) Bridge and other bridges, and preparing to start larger projects such as replacing Hikuwai Bridge No.1.
“Work to finish Connecting Tairāwhiti programme sites is also continuing – installing slow vehicle bays, laybys and other resilience work,” says Mr Bayley.
“It’s a busy time of year for the region as a whole, with lots of different events planned.
“We all like to get to our destination as quickly and safely as possible. We’re mindful that this work is going to be diusruptive for local communities, for road users and businesses.
“It’s the support from the region’s communities since the cyclone which has helped us get to this point. We’re doing what we can to schedule work in a way that minimises delays. However, road users will notice longer travel at times, as a result of the summer works.
“We’re strongly urging people to expect those delays and plan ahead.
“Ultimately all this work will lead to more efficient travel and safer, more resilient roads,” says Mr Bayley.
Some of the planned work
State Highway 35
- Seven road renewals are scheduled for SH35 until January, starting in Hicks Bay and working towards Mangatuna.
- Resealing is also planned, with the majority of sites between Te Puia Springs and Gisborne.
- On other parts of the highway, crews will be working on recovery projects designed to safeguard the road and bridges from erosion and repairing several underslips. Key areas include Awatere Gully, Rotokautuku Bridge, Jeru Straight, Makarika Valley, Kopuaroa Hill, Ihungia Road, and Whakaari Bluff.
- Subject to consents and design, work on enabling works for Hikuwai Bridge No.1 is expected to start by early 2025. People may notice crews carrying out investigation works in the area and on the highway through the Mangahauini Gorge.
State Highway 2
- Two road renewals are scheduled on SH2 north of Gisborne. One near Matawai in mid-November and one near Waihuka in early-January.
- Two road renewals are scheduled on SH2 south of Gisborne, one near Tarewa (starting late November) and the other near Bartletts Hill (mid-January).
- Almost half of SH2 north of Gisborne will also be resealed this summer.
- Drivers will see a lot of activity around the Otoko Hill area where TREC crews are working to upgrade drainage and culverts and strengthen and stabilise areas around the highway.
The season’s work is funded through the State Highway Maintenance and Pothole Prevention activity classes in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
