SH2 Wairarapa highway improvements

18 November 2022

November 2022 update

Welcome to the latest update on the SH2 Wairarapa highway improvements. If you know anyone who might be interested in these updates, they can sign up here.

Have your say on speed limits

As part of the Road to Zero programme, we're consulting on new speed limits on SH2 as part of a nationwide Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan (ISMP). This plan is being developed under the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022. Managing speeds through the ISMP is part of delivering Road to Zero.

The ISMP includes new speed limits on SH2 north of Masterton and south of Featherston. It also includes targeted speed limit changes on other state highway sections in the region. We previously consulted on speeds between Masterton and Featherston last year and we’ll announce the outcome of that consultation in the coming weeks.

You can find out more about these changes and the consultation process at www.nzta.govt.nz/ISMP.

Steady progress between Masterton and Carterton

Ngaumutawa roundabout

Work at this end of the project is now under way, with overhead power cable relocations having started on 16 November. These cables will be trenched underground using the same process we’ve used at the other roundabout sites. We expect this work to be completed early in the new year, and once complete, the construction work on the roundabout will start.

Norfolk roundabout

With all service relocations at the Norfolk road intersection completed, our team have begun building sections of road next to the existing traffic lanes. Once done, these will be used to temporarily divert traffic onto over the next few weeks. This will free up workspace for our teams to start removing the current traffic islands.

By now you would likely have noticed concrete barriers set out on various sections of SH2.

Behind these barriers, the old road shoulder has been milled out in preparation for permanent widening of the road which will be ongoing over the next few weeks.

From Norfolk Road to just south of Norman Avenue, soakage pits have been built, and subsoil drainage systems installed.

Wiltons roundabout

Drainage systems at Wiltons is now done, with only the swale to be completed – these lead stormwater off the road towards the soakage pits. Swales can only be built once the kerbs are completed and cured.

Construction of the new road, which will form part of the roundabout, is currently underway, whilst road widening has also started on the section that will become the approach from East Taratahi Road towards the roundabout.

Over the next few weeks, the infill of the new roundabout will be carried out at which point the centre section will become more visible when driving by.

Barriers have been set out from south of Wiltons Road to Ravensdown. In this section, milling has been done and trenching and laying of ducts for service cables are completed. Work on the permanent widenings will now commence.

Southern turnaround

Soakage pits at this facility are complete with subbase layers compacted, and the area is currently being prepared for the kerbs to be placed within the next week. Once this is completed, the swale will be built.

Service trenches are completed in the immediate area at the turnaround facility, with more trenches to be built between the facility and the rest area over the next few weeks.

Holidays approaching

With the festive season fast approaching it's time for road users to start planning their journeys.

This is one of the busiest times of year on roads around the country, so our crew working on the Masterton to Carterton safety improvements will be off the road from midday Wednesday 21 December until 9am Monday 9 January.

Although no work will be taking place during this time, the area will still be a construction site. Concrete barriers will remain in place with changed road layouts. Traffic management will stay in place with temporary speed restrictions and passing lanes will remain closed.

More information

Thank you to everyone using SH2 for your patience, care and understanding while driving past our work sites.

If you have any questions, comments or feedback you can get in touch by phone on 0800 353 824 or email us at SH2Wairarapa@nzta.govt.nz.