\u201cDue to the risks involved, a full overnight road closure is necessary to ensure everyone\u2019s safety. It also helps us to complete the work much quicker, benefiting both road worker crews and road users.\u201d<\/p>\n
The work had been timed to coincide with other maintenance works requiring road closure.<\/p>\n
This included asphalt pavement works, localised drainage works, road marking and surface repairs at numerous sites along the highway.<\/p>\n
A section of SH29 will be closed for five nights next week.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile disruptive in the short term, everyone will enjoy the benefits of having a more reliable and safer route over the Kaimai Range.\u201d<\/p>\n
The detours for this closure are significant and add considerable time to journeys. <\/p>\n
Alternative routes<\/p>\n
North: SH2 via Karangahake Gorge, SH24, SH27, SH26<\/p>\n
South (all vehicles): SH5, SH30, SH33, SH2 via Rotorua <\/p>\n
South (light vehicles): SH5, SH36 via Rotorua <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
NZTA said residents would still be able to access their properties from the relevant side of the closure, but should expect delays. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
NZTA said emergency services would have prioritised access throughout the work, except for the night of Sunday, February 22, when detours would be required.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n