“Due to the risks involved, a full overnight road closure is necessary to ensure everyone’s safety. It also helps us to complete the work much quicker, benefiting both road worker crews and road users.”
The work had been timed to coincide with other maintenance works requiring road closure.
This included asphalt pavement works, localised drainage works, road marking and surface repairs at numerous sites along the highway.
A section of SH29 will be closed for five nights next week.
“We occasionally close SH29 for essential works such as these and work closely with freight operators and roading contractors to co-ordinate the best possible schedule for these closures. We appreciate that any closure is disruptive and would 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 detours for this closure are significant and add considerable time to journeys.
Alternative routes
North: SH2 via Karangahake Gorge, SH24, SH27, SH26
South (all vehicles): SH5, SH30, SH33, SH2 via Rotorua
South (light vehicles): SH5, SH36 via Rotorua
The closure points on the western (Waikato) side are at the SH29/SH24 and SH29/SH28 intersections and on the eastern (BOP) side at the SH29/Redwood/Kaweroa Drive Roundabout.
NZTA said residents would still be able to access their properties from the relevant side of the closure, but should expect delays.
The state highway will also be fully closed to all through traffic (including residents) at Ruahihi Bluffs for a period of time on Sunday, February 22. Timings would be communicated to residents closer to the closure.
NZTA said emergency services would have prioritised access throughout the work, except for the night of Sunday, February 22, when detours would be required.
After the five-night closure, crews would remain onsite at the Ruahihi Bluffs for about eight weeks, with night-time stop/go traffic management in place as the stabilisation work continued.
Meanwhile, the summer maintenance programme continues until May.
Several sites are being rebuilt or resurfaced to ensure the route remains safe, reliable and fit for purpose for all road users.
Chipsealing works are being planned for SH36 this weekend. Photo / Getty Images
Daytime chipsealing work is also planned this weekend for State Highway 36 between the SH36/Kennedy Rd roundabout and the SH36/Pyes Pa roundabout.
NZTA said this work was originally scheduled for Valentine’s weekend but was postponed because of bad weather.
It warned drivers to expect delays.