Motorists are being warned to prepare for full road closures on State Highway 29.
Regular closures of State Highway 29 Kaimai Range over coming months will ensure essential maintenance can be done in a safe and efficient manner.
Previously, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has implemented single-direction closures to allow traffic to flow, primarily based on freight industry movements to and from the Port of Tauranga.
However, following engagement with the Port, freight operators and emergency service providers, NZTA has confirmed that a series of full road closures will be utilised to deliver maintenance in a more effective manner.
SH29 is a critical route, providing the key link between the country’s largest port and the ‘Golden Triangle’, explains NZTA’s maintenance and operations acting regional manager Roger Brady.
“Around 14,000 vehicles use this road every day, including several thousand heavy vehicles. It is critical that we are able to maintain SH29 to ensure the route is safe and accessible for all road users.
“We’ve collaborated with freight operators and roading contractors to confirm days and times that work best for everybody. By locking in a schedule, regular road users including freight operators, can make plans in advance to minimise the disruption to themselves and their customers.”
The detours for this closure are significant and will add considerable time to journeys. People are encouraged to check the NZTA Journey Planner and allow extra time for their journey, or if possible, delay travel over SH29 on these nights.
“This is a new way of working for preventative maintenance and road renewals across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region. If successful we will look to use this approach in other areas across our network.
“We’d like to thank our stakeholders and partners for working with us on this. While disruptive in the short term, everyone will enjoy the benefits of having a more reliable and safer route over the Kaimai Range.”
The timetable of works below is current as at the time of printing. Closures may be re-scheduled in the event of bad weather.
|
Month |
Dates |
Time |
|
February |
Sunday 25 – Thursday 29 (5 nights) |
8pm – 4:30am |
|
March |
Sunday 17 – Thursday 21 (5 nights) |
8pm – 3:30am |
|
May |
Sunday 19 – Wednesday 22 (4 nights) |
8pm – 3:30am |
|
July |
Sunday 14 – Wednesday 17 (4 nights) |
8pm – 3:30am |
Alternative routes
South: all vehicles: SH28, SH5, SH30, SH33, SH2 via Rotorua
South: light vehicles: SH28, SH5, SH36 via Rotorua
North: SH24, SH27, SH26, SH2 via Karangahake Gorge
A map showing the detours while the road is closed.
1 comment
Road closures
Posted on 01-02-2024 17:45 | By Hmmmmm
I have no problem with nzta closing for essential road repairs. And the subcontractors do a awesome job of prep. But unfortunately when the sealing is done it is of poor standard with imported rubbish materials. Therefore it's last about a month if you lucky. Then the patch repair work begins. More hold ups and speed restrictions. Do it properly and stop basically chucking road users money down the drain!!
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