Connecting Tairāwhiti

Project update

16 February 2024

Tēnā koe,

Welcome to our summer issue of the Connecting Tairāwhiti e-newsletter. You'll receive this e-newsletter quarterly from now on.

Wednesday this week was the anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle. Our thoughts are with all those who lost loved ones as a result of the cyclone and all those still feeling its devastating impact 12 months on. While a lot of work has been done in the last year, we know there is much more to do.

It continues to be a busy season on our state highway network as summer is the best time for work, such as resurfacing and road rehabilitation, as the warm temperatures and dry air help new seal stick to road surfaces. With lots of work happening, we have lots of crews on the roads. Please respect our roadworkers and travel safely through their worksites (watch our video on the topic further down).

There are a lot of projects underway that will improve state highway resilience and safety, and improve journeys across Tairāwhiti and our roading network.

If you’re heading out on the road this summer, please be safe on the roads and look after yourself. We will continue to keep you informed about works underway and encourage you to regularly check Journey Planner where you can map your journey and see the roadworks happening along the way.

Connecting Tairāwhiti back on track over summer

Following delays due to the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle, the State Highway 35 (SH35) resilience and State Highway 2 (SH2)/SH35 passing opportunities programmes of work are back on track.

Construction is underway, or soon set to begin, on a number of sites across both state highways. Sites that are already underway include:

• Resilience projects on SH35 to strengthen and stabilise the highway with an aim of keeping it open and functional in future weather events. Rock revetment works are planned at Turihaua Point to help to prevent coastal erosion. This work will see extra layers of retaining wall added to the sites for protection.
• A significant programme of works at Busby’s Hill kicked off in January this year to stabilise the weak hillsides as well as provide a new southbound slow vehicle bay and a mobile phone layby.
• Passing opportunities on SH2 are well underway at Mohaka Viaduct and Kakariki, and these are due to be completed in early 2024.
• SH2 shoulder widening at Maraetaha is underway. Please follow temporary speed limits and signage in place.

It’ll be a busy season of roadworks for our Connecting Tairāwhiti programme. This programme of work started before Cyclone Gabrielle and is now happening alongside the ongoing cyclone recovery works. You can read more about the recovery works in this issue.

We’ll share more about Connecting Tairāwhiti in our next issue as more sites come online this year.

Caption: Resilience works underway at Busby’s Hill on SH35.

Construction underway at Kakariki slow vehicle bay

Works are underway to construct a new slow vehicle bay on SH2, near Kotemaori School.

A stretch of SH2, near the intersection with Kakariki Farm Road, is under traffic management while the slow vehicle bay is constructed. Stop/Go traffic control, along with a temporary 30km/h speed limit, is in place.

The 260-metre slow vehicle bay will allow another place for road users to safely pass slow vehicles, providing a safer opportunity for passing as road users head north to Wairoa. It will help reduce driver frustration, enable people to safely pass slower vehicles and continue their journey in a timely way.

In addition to the construction of a slow vehicle bay, we are also making safety improvements to Kotemaori School’s access on SH2, including a safe right-turn bay to access the school.

The project is expected to be completed in April 2024.

This stretch of SH2 has seen a lot of construction and maintenance activity over the past few months as the region recovers and rebuilds from Cyclone Gabrielle. We understand the additional temporary Stop/Go traffic management will cause delays but we’re confident the slow vehicle bay will ultimately lead to more efficient and safer travel on this part of the journey.

This work is part of the Connecting Tairāwhiti programme of works.

Caption: Work underway at Kakariki with a retaining wall near completion and earthworks in progress.

SH2 Mohaka Ascent slow vehicle bay

Progress is being made on the construction of a slow vehicle bay at Raupunga, on the southbound lane of SH2.

The slow vehicle bay will stretch 650m just after the Mohaka Rail Viaduct.

Roading crews initially began work on the slow vehicle bay in September 2022, however it was brought to a halt following the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Crews have been back onsite since November 2023 and while wet weather and cold temperatures have pushed the completion date back, works are expected to be completed by end of February 2024, weather permitting.

Through February, works are taking place to lay a new seal and Stop/Go traffic management is in place. We thank the community for its patience as these important works are carried out.

This work is also part of the Connecting Tairāwhiti programme of works.

Caption: Work continues at Mohaka Ascent on SH2.

Resurfacing works at Otoko, Gisborne

Travellers are asked to plan ahead for three overnight road closures on SH2 at Otoko, between Hihiroroa Road North and Fitzgerald Road, between 8pm-5am each night beginning Monday 19 February. This work is improving the surface of the state highway.

Escorted convoys will be available each night at the following times and locations:

• 10:15pm and 1:15am leaving northbound from the intersection with Whatatutu Road.
• 10:30pm and 1:30am leaving southbound from Matawai Village.

Road users must be at the convoy points on time to be allowed through. Note these convoys are not suitable for oversized vehicles.

These works are dependent on various factors and may be rescheduled.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while the resurfacing works take place.

Works at Busby’s Hill underway

Works have kicked off at SH35 Busby’s Hill. This is remedial work due to the ground movement.

Crews are reconstructing the slope and building a retaining wall for future resilience and protection of the state highway.

The expected completion date of the wider Busby’s Hill programme, which includes the construction of a southbound passing lane and layby, is September 2024.

This work is another in the Connecting Tairāwhiti programme of works.

Caption: Resilience works taking place at Busby’s Hill on SH35.

TREC Alliance update – recovery and rebuild mahi

The Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) Alliance is responsible for the recovery and rebuild work on the East Coast highway and rail networks delivered in partnership with local contractors.
 
Recovery work is progressing well at many sites in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay. This ongoing work is focused on keeping the state highways open and people moving, while longer-term rebuild work is considered in places to minimise future disruptions. TREC is also delivering summer state highway maintenance work across the East Coast which includes road reseals and pavement repairs.

Stay up to date with TREC’s work and the upcoming community drop-in sessions by subscribing to the TREC newsletter. You can sign up here to receive these regular updates.

For more information, visit: https://nzta.govt.nz/trec

Road user charges for electric vehicles from 1 April

From 1 April 2024, electric vehicle owners will need to buy a Road User Charges (RUC) licence and display it on their windscreen. They will be able to buy their RUC licence online through the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) website, or in person at an NZTA agent, from 1 April.

Everyone who uses New Zealand’s roads contributes to their upkeep in some way. Most road users pay fuel tax when they buy petrol, through fuel excise duty. Others, such as drivers of diesel vehicles, pay distance-based RUC.

While EV owners won’t be able to buy their RUC licence before 1 April, they will have until 31 May to buy their licence without risk of penalty.

More information about this can be found on our webpage: www.nzta.govt/ruc-ev

Watch: Keeping safe around roadworks

Caption: Watch our video below about how to travel safely past our roadworkers and their worksites. Like all of us, roadworkers deserve to get home at the end of the day.

Keep up to date

Please check Journey Planner before travelling on our state highways and drive to the conditions.

Traffic updates: Tairāwhiti
Facebook: Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency - Hawke's Bay and Gisborne
Twitter: Waka Kotahi CNI
Journey Planner: Tairāwhiti
Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)
Highway access maps: Gisborne

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More information

In between newsletters, you can keep up with the latest news on the recovery in Tairāwhiti online at nzta.govt.nz. Find the latest updates on road closures, highway conditions, and progress on recovery all in one place.