SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa

Safety improvements project information

5 July 2024

Tēnā koutou

Safety improvements on State Highway 2 between Waihī and Ōmokoroa has been a topic of discussion in the community recently as we progress the installation of median barriers. We'd like to share this update with you as someone who has been a stakeholder or connected to the project, in recent years. 

The current phase of works to install median barriers and safe turnaround points (roundabouts), is a priority, and works are now 75 percent complete, with 4 roundabouts built, and the fifth in construction. 

If we cast our memories back to 2016, this stretch of road was dubbed “the horror highway” and the community and local councillors were calling for action to improve safety. The improvements to date have been years of hard work, design and public consultation. The median barriers being installed now are the last step and a reminder of how far we have come to fix this road to make it safer for all of those who use it.

In response to the community voicing concerns about the median barrier installation, we paused work while a review was completed, and can confirm work is now proceeding as planned. 

While we incorporate feedback and changes from the community on designs, where possible, designs are based on evidence (both international and around Aotearoa New Zealand) and technical advice, with safety being a focus, along with other design and construction criterion. 

It is our view that the median barrier is less effective with more gaps in the barrier introduced. Roundabouts have been built with the purpose of providing safe turnaround locations, to reduce the risk of intersection crashes and right turns across SH2.   

3.8km of median barriers have already been installed north of Katikati. This week, early works for the installation of 1.4km of barriers has begun, between Morton Road and the Aongatete River bridge.

It has not been a straightforward journey and we are proud of the team who has delivered the safety improvements, as planned, while enduring some hostility from the community over the past 6 years over aspects of the design and method of construction.  

It has been disappointing to see the level of aggression directed at our team and contractors in recent weeks, especially. The online and onsite treatment our NZTA staff and contractors have faced is not acceptable. 

We are also concerned there are several examples of incorrect information circulating, please note there are a range of resources and information available at nzta.govt.nz/w2o   

Kia haumaru te haere. Safe travels.

View a video about the project here