SH2 Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki

This time last year we met with the community to get their views on how we can make the road between Ōhope and Ōpōtiki safer. The feedback from this has helped us develop the safety improvements for this stretch of road.

The feedback showed there’s support for the improvements we’ve planned, especially at some risky intersections. It also showed us people are worried about how some improvements might affect the way they use the road and slow down traffic. All of this information is important and has been used, along with our research, to further shape the improvements that will make this road safer. You can read some of the concerns raised, and what we are doing to address these, below.

We’ve refined our design after getting feedback from councils and iwi.

The next step is to complete the business case so we can get funding to finalise the design and start construction.

All going to plan, construction will start by the end of this year or early 2019.

Why is it taking so long?

It’s important we make improvements that are right for the road, and that work for the people who use it and live along it. This is a complicated stretch of road with lots of windy curves and narrow sections and we have had to investigate a wide range of options along the route. This is a good opportunity to make some safety improvements and we need to get it right.

Next steps

Now – June 2018
Get back to the community with the preferred safety improvements and check we've got it right. Possible open day.

June – early 2019
Seek final approval and funding so we can finalise the detailed design and start the work.

Early 2019
Start construction and, all going to plan, finished in 2021.

Click here for the latest overview map.

More information

For more information on the SH2 Wainui Road to Ōpōtiki project, or if you have any questions, please get in touch with Justin Rae, our Community Engagement Manager, on 021 390 732 or email justin.rae@saferoads.co.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/WR2O