SH1 Loop Road safety improvements

17 July 2025

July update

Thank you for following our progress on the SH1 Loop Road Safety Improvements project. Stage 2 is in its final stretch, and while winter has slowed some tasks, we remain focused on delivering a safer, more reliable route for everyone.

April had a large amount of rain, and some of our planned work, such as final asphalting, had to be postponed till the warmer months. This means our project is planned for completion in October/November 2025, depending on weather conditions in Spring.

Images: Aerial view looking north of the project site

What is happening right now

Colder winter temperatures and rain have temporarily paused our final surfacing and concrete works to make sure it is high quality and durable. Asphalt requires warm and dry conditions to bind correctly, and line marking depends on stable surface temperatures for long-lasting results. Certain concrete pours also need milder weather to cure properly. During this period, we have shifted focus to landscaping, barrier installations, and detailed testing and surveying. You might see some different machinery moving in and out of the site during this time.

What’s left to do

When Spring arrives and the weather warms up, we’ll install the permanent wire rope dividing barriers alongside the northern concrete lane separator (splitter island).

We’ll then:

• complete asphalting across all lanes and approaches
• apply fresh line marking
• finish the shared path.

Thank you for your patience while we complete the works, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

What we’ve achieved so far in 2025

In early January, we completed the preparation for the final asphalt and surfacing by:

• pavement foundations (basecourse) and chip sealing at Oaks Road.
• laying a cement-treated base on the SH1 northern approach.
• installing premade bridge barriers for safety before the traffic switch.
• finishing the riprap armouring, the layers of stones that prevent slipping, along the river edges.

During February we completed the tasks for the single-lane opening of Otaika Bridge, including:

• pouring the barrier stitches, which join the pieces of the barrier together.
• laying the asphalt layers on the bridge and painting new line markings
• installing Texas rails, which help to stabilise slopes
• putting in the shared path.

The bridge was open to traffic on the 2nd of March. By late March, northbound traffic was rerouted west across the bridge. Oaks Road was tied into its permanent alignment. Work began on the existing SH1 northbound lanes with new kerbs, channels, W-barriers, and pavement rehabilitation.

More information

For more information on the SH1 Loop Road safety improvements project, contact us at northlandproject@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/loop-road