After a year of roadworks between Carterton and Masterton, the main construction of the SH2 safety improvements has now finished, and the road is mostly operational today.
A Waka Kotahi NZTA spokesperson said most traffic management restrictions associated with the works will be removed, improving traffic flow.
“It will be much easier for drivers coming from side roads to enter the highway.
“The new median barriers, wider road shoulders, and improved lighting make the road much safer,” the spokesperson said.
A 70 kmh temporary speed limit along the highway and a 50 kmh temporary speed limit near the Clareville turnaround bay will remain in place until a mandatory independent road safety audit is completed.
The spokesperson said the audit is a priority for Waka Kotahi and will be completed sometime this month.
Once temporary speed limits are lifted, the permanent speed limit will be 80kmh from the Waingawa Bridge to just past Somerset Rd outside of Carterton.
Despite the main construction on the project ending, there is still work to complete. A road surface will be laid in November-December when the weather is warmer and drier.
The spokesperson said the top surface is an important part of the project and needs to be built when the weather conditions are favourable.
Everyone’s comments totally agree 👍 except I would give it a 6/10, I have driven over many new roads much better in layout and surfacing 100k speed limits apply. Why go to all the expense and disruption to make 🤔 it safer then lower the speed limit 🤔 should have just left it and lowered speed limits.
Transition from sealed road by roundabouts to original road surface at every roundabout and every direction is trash.
This road cannot be considered complete. The surface is like a patchwork quilt, different levels and materials leaving an uneven surface. To complete the job a thick level of tarseal is required. Sigh!! Remember the days of the old Ministry of Works, that was when a job was completed properly with pride.
Travel this road every day. Can tell you now it is NOT complete. LOTS of road still to be resurfaced and the sections around the roundabouts still to be brought up to the level of the kerb that has been installed to stop the flooding. Looking forward to it actually being completed.
Went through today and not sure you could say it’s finished. Still looks like a dogs breakfast and drives the same too. Yes, I acknowledge that a lot of work has been done on it but to say it is finished is a stretch. The double lane at one intersection caused issues today, when a car/trailer needed both lanes to get thru and an impatient driver went to the left lane – dumb idea. Single lane would have been better.
Why is there a 80 klh speed limit from masterton to the base of the remutakas then turns to 100klm hr bit backwards isn’t it for a supposedly thinking waka kotare ,or whatever they call themselves now days ,😩😩
Totally agree on all counts 🤔
From Wellington to Napier would always travel via the Wairapapa. We now always go via Kapiti. You have ruined traveling this way. 😑
Couldn’t agree more
Brilliant 😊👌
Congratulations to all who participated in the design and completion of this project. I enjoyed watching the rough rural road being transformed into what it is now especially the rainy cold days seeing this project neared completion in the cold autumn/winter months.
Congratulations on thinking outside the square with the size of the islands in the middle of the roundabouts, necessary for logging truck manoeuvres and it’s equivalent. I give you a score of 10/10 😁