SH2 Remutaka Hill underslip works complete and January-June 2025 closure schedule

Roadworks update

20 December 2024

Underslip Repairs Complete

Works at the State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill road underslip site are now complete and the road is open to two-way traffic.

The urgent repairs on the Remutaka Hill were required after an underslip developed at the end of September. Our crews have been busy day and night constructing a retaining wall to stabilise the underslip site and protect this important connection between the Wairarapa and Wellington.

The underslip formed at a particularly narrow and winding section of the road. To complete the works efficiently and safely, we utilised nine weeks of night-time road closures and twelve weeks of 24/7 stop/go traffic controls.

To complete the repairs, our crews installed 15 steel piles, constructed eight rock anchors, poured concrete backfill, placed timber lagging, and resurfaced and relevelled the road surface.

Our team also completed routine maintenance such as road resurfacing, line marking, drainage renewals, channel clearing, and installing new barriers and signs to make the most of the closures. By completing these maintenance works early, we require fewer maintenance closures in 2025.

We want to thank the community for their patience and cooperation throughout these essential repairs. We are glad to have the site safer and more resilient in time for the holidays.

2025 Maintenance Closure Schedule (Jan-June)

We would like to advise you of the dates for the first half of 2025 of SH2 Remutaka Hill night-time maintenance closures. These closures run from 9pm to 4am.

These regular night closures significantly reduce the number of disruptions at other times for road users. Road crews can complete a large amount of work safely during these closures because multiple crews can work across the hill simultaneously without disrupting traffic.

Nights         Start 9pm                  Finish 4am

5 nights        Sun 23 Feb                 Fri 28 Feb

1 night         Sun 9 March                Mon 10 March

5 nights        Sun 6 April                  Fri 11 April

1 night         Sun 18 May                 Mon 19 May

1 night         Sun 15 June                Mon 16 June

There are no scheduled maintenance closures in January 2025.

Light vehicles can be escorted at intervals across the hill behind a pilot vehicle. Bookings are essential and should be made using the form below.

Remutaka Hill Closure Escort Booking Form

Please direct any additional inquiries to customer@wta.nzta.govt.nz

People wanting to cross the hill during the closure should book in advance for a place on the escorted crossings.

• For Sunday night, please book by 4pm the Friday prior
• For Monday through Thursday nights, please book by 4pm each day for that night

Due to necessary paving works, there will be fewer escorted crossings offered in February.

Timetable for February

• 10.30pm Featherston to Hutt
• 11.30pm Hutt to Featherston

Timetable for March - June

• 10.30pm Hutt to Featherston
• 11.30pm Featherston to Hutt
• 12.30am Hutt to Featherston
• 01.30am Featherston to Hutt

Numbers are strictly limited and travellers turning up without a booking risk being turned away or having to wait until the next crossing or the road opens. Any additions to an escorted crossing are at the discretion of the hill manager who must consider the safety of workers and travellers on the night.

Emergency vehicles will be allowed through the closures at all times when vehicles are flashing their lights.

We understand the closures may inconvenience some road users and thank you for your patience and understanding as we carry out this essential maintenance work.

More information

For more information about these closures, visit nzta.govt.nz/remutaka or please email us at customer@wta.nzta.govt.nz