SH25 Thames Coast Recovery Update – 19 March 2018

SH25 repairs progressing well

Work continues to progress well on SH25 Thames Coast, with repairs continuing at multiple sites to install rock protection walls and rebuild the road.

The project to rebuild this stretch of SH25 remains on track to be completed by the end of June, with about one third of the 6.7 kilometres of rock protection walls now complete.

The road is now fully open to all vehicles in both directions leading to an increase in traffic using the road, however Stop Go traffic management and speed restrictions at multiples sites mean travellers should expect delays.

With heavy vehicles once again using the road northbound we have to manage their speed through sensitive areas to ensure there is no further damage to the road.

Within the next week we will begin work to install temporary rock protection walls in the Te Mata and Thornton Bay area. These walls will be temporary measure to ensure the road does not suffer further damage in future storms until we can design a long-term solution which protects the road while giving residents access to the beach.  

Over the next couple of months we will be developing some options to bring to the community for the long-term protection of the coastline in this area.  

How to stay up to date:
· A webpage has been set up to provide travel information for the journey from Thames to Manaia www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/sh25
·  The key traffic and travel source which provides up-to-date information on weather and road conditions nationwide is www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
·  Information is also shared via the Transport Agency’s official Twitter and Facebook accounts listed here www.nzta.govt.nz/contact-us/connect-with-us/
·  Thames Coromandel District Council facebook updates here www.facebook.com/ThamesCoromandelDistrictCouncil/
· Drivers can also call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) to speak to the call centre team who can provide them with traffic and travel information either before they’re travelling or when they’re on the road.

Summer resealing work on SH25/25A complete

Over the past couple of months various sites around the Coromandel have had new seal laid and seal repair carried out. This is part of the Transport Agency's commitment to spend $8.3 million on repairing and resealing SH25 and SH25A over the next three years.

Meanwhile we are finalising design and preparing to tender work on the resilience projects that will help make the road more resilient to the effects of storms and heavy rain.

The main projects to be completed around the Coromandel Peninsula are:

• SH25A Kopu-Hikuai retaining wall and rock protection wall 
• Boundary Creek, rock wall to protect against erosion
• Kereta Hill, retaining wall (section 2)
• Whangapoua Hill, retaining walls at two sites
• Kuaotunu Hill, retaining walls at two sites

In addition to the resilience work there are a number of projects to improve safety around the Coromandel that will take place this year.

More information

For more information on the SH25/SH25A Thames-Coromandel project, contact us coromandel@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/thames-coromandel