All road closures that could impact your summer road trip

It is not uncommon for roadworks to intensify during the summer period, with workers taking advantage of hot, dry weather.

With so much to do, it’s important to plan your travel route carefully and, if possible, be aware of any detours.

NZTA undertakes summer maintenance each year and will renew more than 1,800 kilometers of roads this summer.

Here’s a look at some of the major road works that could impact your travel this summer:

Auckland

The Auckland Harbor Bridge will be subject to traffic restrictions and some access ramps will be closed for resurfacing and maintenance work under the bridge from Boxing Day (December 26) until January 6.

Daytime lane reductions will be implemented at Spaghetti Junction during the same period, while a bridge joint will be replaced.

Motorists are asking to use the Waterview Tunnel or the Western Ring Road on SH16 to avoid traffic jams.

A full closure will be in place on State Highway 1 southbound from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. between Victoria Park and Grafton Road.

Full list of Auckland Central works

Desert Road Closure

State Highway 1 from Tūrangi to Waiouru will be closed for reconstruction and repairs for two months from January 13, 2025.

These works are starting a week later than originally planned, to reduce the impact on summer holiday travel, an NZTA spokesperson said.

“This section of SH1 is in one of the worst conditions in the Waikato region, it is also one of the most difficult to repair,” said Roger Brady, Waikato regional maintenance and operations manager and from Bay of Plenty.

“The Alpine environment and the risk of cold spells require us to carry out this closure during the peak summer months, as the ground temperature must be at least 13 degrees to carry out pavement works. “

The planned detour is expected to add about half an hour to travel times.

The summit of the South Island

There’s a lot going on here, with major repairs to State Highway 60 at Takaka Hill, resiliency works underway on State Highway 63 and State Highway 6 at Rai Saddle in Marlborough.

The NZTA is warning drivers to allow an extra hour for the journey between Christchurch and Picton, and an extra 30 minutes between Nelson and Blenheim, due to roadworks.

Otago

Roads in Coastal Otago and Dunedin needed repairs and reconstruction after the floods.

Ben Parker, maintenance contract manager, said resurfacing began in September and will continue until March/April.

“If people can allow an extra 20 minutes into their journeys, it will help ease the pressure on everyone and reduce the temptation to make up time if there is a short delay on key routes,” he said. he declared.

The holiday period will be as “work-free” as possible, the NZTA said, and the resurgence will continue from mid-January.

Northern countries

The Kamo Bypass on State Highway One will undergo reconstruction and resurfacing works for three weeks in January. NZTA says there will be overnight closures and a standby through lane during the work. A detour will be in place via Old State Highway, Kamo Road.

Bay of Plenty

Bay of Plenty maintenance this summer will focus on State Highway 29, near Hanga Road, Kaimai Cafe and Kaimai School, although work will be carried out at night to minimize impacts to traffic.

NZTA aims to complete as much work as possible before Christmas.

Full details of the Bay of Plenty works (including maps)

Manawatu-Whanganui

Resealing work will take place across the region, and NZTA said road users can expect to encounter a number of construction sites and newly sealed roads during their summer commutes.

Regional Director of Maintenance and Operations Rua Pani says this season the focus is on road reconstruction.

“We are working to improve the general condition of the network through more intensive treatments, thus increasing the quality of the roadway.”

Road reconstruction work has been underway since October at several sites on State Highway 1 and State Highway 2 near Dannevirke, with further work planned on State Highway 54 and State Highway 56 near Opiki .

The NZTA website says there will be “considerable disruption” at times.

Taranaki

Road reconstruction work began in Taranaki in September, a month earlier than usual.

In early January, two work zones are planned: On State Highway 45 in New Plymouth, overnight works will cause delays of 5 to 10 minutes between January 6 and 17.

And State Highway 3 in Tangapōrutu will be reconstructed between January 7 and March 7, with crews working six days a week. Traffic lights will be in place with delays of up to 10 minutes.

Wellington

Wellington is spared tunnel closures during the peak holiday period in January – but in February the Terrace Tunnel will close for four days between February 10 and 13, Monday to Thursday.

The Mont Victoria tunnel will be closed for one day on February 2 and the Arras tunnel for one day on February 2.

The Terrace and Mt Victoria tunnels will briefly close again in March.

Hawke’s Bay

In addition to the 24/7 summer road program, cyclone recovery work continues in the Hawke’s Bay region.

Planned renewal works include the renewal of State Highways 2, 5 and 50.

Meanwhile, Transport Rebuild East Coast Hawke’s Bay project spokesperson Chris Mahoney said crews were progressing well at several cyclone recovery sites, repairing damaged sections of road, stabilizing slips and repairing and maintaining the bridges.

The recovery program includes sites at Devil’s Elbow and White Pine Bush on SH2, repairs to the Dillon’s Hill culvert and north of the Hill Road culvert on SH5, and bridge repairs at Chesterman’s Bridge and Aschott Bridge on SH50 .

“We anticipate the majority of the restoration work will be completed by fall of next year,” Mahoney said.

Although work at some sites will take longer, Mahoney said much of the traffic management will be completed by Easter.

Full details of central North Island roadworks

Reseal, resurface, rebuild

More than 1,800 kilometers of track, or 7.5% of the network, are expected to be renewed under the 2024/25 program, according to NZTA Waka Kotahi.

This includes the resealing, resurfacing and reconstruction of existing road surfaces.

Additionally, under the Pothole Prevention Fund, more than 285 route kilometers of rehabilitation works will be carried out, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced in October.

“Rehabilitation involves repairs across the width of our existing roads and renews the life of the roadway, rather than just filling potholes,” he explained.

“Long-term rehabilitation works that strengthen the network and prevent potholes from forming are essential to improving the quality of our road network and have a much more lasting impact than resealing the road. »

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