Stop/go works reduced by 95 per cent
Roadworks on the Remutaka Hill section of State Highway 2. The road will be closed again for several nights over the next 12 months. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Wairarapa’s late night road commuters may have to rework their schedules after the New Zealand Transport Agency [NZTA] announced the latest closures to the Remutaka Hill section of State Highway 2.
NZTA has revealed a schedule of planned changes to the road over the next 12 months.
These include three blocks of five-night closures and four one-night closures “to enable essential maintenance and slip prevention works to be safely carried out”, the agency said.
The first one-night closure is on Sunday, November 10 from 9pm to 4am the next morning, followed by five consecutive nights from Sunday, November 24 to Friday [morning], November 29.
There are two further five consecutive night closures next year, scheduled for January 12-17, and May 3-8.
The remaining one-night closures are scheduled for Sunday, April 5, Sunday, July 12 and Sunday, September 13. During these periods, the 14 kilometre stretch of road will be closed from 9pm to 4am.
Regional Transport Systems Manager Mark Owen said having the road fully closed to traffic is critical to ensuring the safety of maintenance crews while work is being done.
“The constrained working environment on the steep narrow Remutaka Hill Road does not meet our safety expectations for our workers. We want to ensure our road crews are working in a safe environment.
“The maintenance works will ensure the road is in good condition, and the slip prevention works will improve accessibility by reducing the risk of falling rocks and debris on to the road.”
Owen said work on the Remutaka Hill Road has been done during the day with approximately 300 stop/go road works through the year causing significant disruptions for motorists.
“Since the planned night closures in March, when our team was able to complete a huge amount of work, there have been only five stop/go works on the road in the last six months. That’s a 95 per cent reduction.”
NZTA said around 291 of the 6,650 vehicles using the road daily travel at night.
But Owen acknowledged closing the hill road would have an impact on road users in the evening.
“That’s why we are giving plenty of notice, so people are able to reschedule their journeys, or allow more time for the detour via Pahiatua Track or Saddle Road.”
- A limited shuttle service will be available to night shift workers and other commitments. Email [email protected] for further information.
- NZTA recommend using their online Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/wellington or following their social media sites for up to date information — facebook.com/nztawgtn or twitter.com/nztawgtn.
- Phone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) for help.
SH2 closures [from 9pm to 4am each night]
Sunday, November 10
Sunday, November 24, finishing 4am Friday, 29
Sunday, January 12, finishing 4am Friday, 17
Sunday, April 5
Sunday, May 3, finishing 4am, Friday 8
Sunday, July 12
Sunday, September 13
