20/01/2025
Dear Resident / Business,
SH2 Waioeka Gorge maintenance and road closure
On behalf of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), Higgins Contractors will be undertaking asphalt resurfacing within the Waioeka Gorge on State Highway 2 (SH2). The existing road surface needs replacing at 2 locations, and we will be carrying out other maintenance works.
The work is planned to start Monday 10 February, with daily closures in place from Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 February, with 3 contingency days between Monday 17 to Wednesday 19 February as this work is very weather dependent.
NZTA understands any closure is disruptive and is making the most of this by getting all scheduled Gorge works, for this construction season, completed at the same time. This includes other pavement repairs, clearing drains, and sign repairs.
Traffic management and road closures are planned:
Monday 10 February – Road open with stop/go in place between 8am and 5pm and a reduced speed limit through the site. Crews will be digging up the existing road in preparation for the asphalt layer.
Tuesday 11 – Friday 14 February – Road closed between 10am and 6pm daily. Crews will be laying the new asphalt road surface and completing other maintenance activities. Temporary traffic management, such as road cones and speed restrictions, will remain in place for up to 48 hours until the new surface has been line-marked.
Date/Time
Road status
Monday 10 February
OPEN, stop/go 8am – 5pm
Tuesday 11 February
Closed between 10am – 6pm
Wednesday 12 February
Closed between 10am – 6pm
Thursday 13 February
Closed between 10am – 6pm
Friday 14 February
Closed between 10am – 6pm
Saturday 15 February
OPEN
Sunday 16 February
OPEN
Monday 17 February
Contingency day. If needed, closed between 10am – 6pm
Tuesday 18 February
Contingency day. If needed, closed between 10am – 6pm
Wednesday 19 February
Contingency day. If needed, closed between 10am – 6pm
Closure details:
Soft Closures: Access for businesses and residents will be maintained at both ends of the affected area, up to the hard closure points. The soft closures are at Kerei Street, Matawai and Warrington Road, Ōpōtiki (map attached). The soft closure times are 9.40am and 5.40pm – enabling people to get through the site before the hard closure starts at 10am, and reach the site before it reopens at 6pm.
Hard Closures: 2 hard closure points (either side of the road works area) will be in the Gorge. There will be no access through the site between 10am and 6pm each workday.
Notification: Electronic message boards will be placed at both ends of the worksite at least 1 week before the start date to inform road users of the upcoming work, potential delays, and any changes.
