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Connecting Tairāwhiti
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2 November 2022 |
Tēnā koe,The Connecting Tairāwhiti programme is making it easier and safer to travel around and between Northern Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is working together with regional and community partners to significantly improve safety and driver experience on our state highways, create employment opportunities, and provide a more resilient roading network for local communities. You can see more about all the Connecting Tairāwhiti projects on our interactive map here. To ensure our communities are kept informed on repair works along State Highway 35 following the weather events this year, we will be issuing frequent updates, including traffic bulletins, using this email address. If you would like a translated Te Reo version of this e-newsletter, please email connectingtairawhiti@nzta.govt.nz |
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Image: Locals at the Tokomaru Bay drop-in session SH35 communities turn out for more information on the summer construction seasonSH35 locals took the opportunity to have a cuppa and a chat with Waka Kotahi in Ruatoria and Tokomaru Bay last week. The Tairāwhiti Waka Kotahi team sat down with attendees to outline the works planned for the state highway over the 2022-2023 summer period. There was particular interest in the emergency works as well as timeframes around repairs and key projects located on SH35. If you weren’t able to make it to a drop-in session but would like to know more about what’s coming up, you can find the information posters here. |
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Largest-ever road renewal for Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s BayState highways will be buzzing with activity this spring and summer, with Waka Kotahi gearing up for the country’s largest-ever road renewal season. Between early October 2022 and April 2023, approximately 100 lane kilometres of state highway will be resealed or rebuilt across Tairāwhiti – more than 15% of the region’s state highway network. In Hawke’s Bay, it’s more than 134 lane kilometres or more than 13% of the region’s network. Waka Kotahi is working with councils and community groups to minimise the impact on drivers where possible, but some level of disruption is to be expected. We recommend that you check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner before starting your journey. |
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Ruatoria to Potaka resealingCrews have almost completed the resealing of 20 sites along SH35 between Ruatoria and Potaka, with the last of the sites expected to be finished this week if we see good weather. The work required a number of road closures and we thank drivers for their patience and understanding. The final works will be completed under stop/go traffic management. |
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SH35 Uawa Bridge closure, roadworks aheadSignificant work to rebuild a section of SH35 at Tolaga Bay will get underway from early November. As part of this work, the Uawa bridge will be closed on Sunday 6 November from 8.00am to 4.00pm for bridge abutment repairs. During the closure, there will be a detour available via Tauwhareparae Road and Paroa Road. Pedestrian and cycle access over the bridge will be permitted, and those who walk or cycle are asked to follow the direction of traffic management staff on site. Following repairs to the bridge, contractors will be undertaking roadworks between the bridge and Hinekura Road. The road will be down to one lane with a temporary speed limit of 30km/hour between 6.00am and 6.00pm, from Tuesday 8 November to Thursday 17 November. There will be a detour in place for heavy vehicles only on 8 November, via Tauwhareparae Road and Paroa Road. In the case of poor weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the bridge abutment work will be postponed until Tuesday 8 November. Visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website for up-to-date information on the works. |
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Image: Subsidence on SH2, north of Raupunga SH2 affected by subsidence at RaupungaHeavy rainfall has caused some serious subsidence on SH2 near Raupunga, reducing the road to one lane. Early assessments of the site, which is 5.5km north of the Raupunga settlement, indicate that the fault is deep-seated. Further investigation will be required before we can find a fix that is effective and resilient. In the interim, the road will remain down to one lane at the site, with traffic management in place. |
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Image: The Esk River Bridge on SH2, north of Napier Repairs on the horizon for Esk River BridgeThere’s good news for motorists crossing the Esk River Bridge – the results of monitoring have been stable, with no further deterioration in strength. The bridge on SH2, north of Napier, has been a 30km/h zone after a detailed inspection in February 2022 that identified strength issues needing repair. Waka Kotahi has prioritised repairs to the bridge with procurement underway and contractors to be selected in mid-November. Repairs are estimated to begin in January 2023. In the meantime, we thank drivers for continuing to observe the temporary 30km/h speed limit. |
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Left: SH35 Kopuaroa Hill progress; right: H Blackbee Contractors at the successfully repaired Mangahauini Bridge following the March 2022 rain event SH35 Kopuaroa: local people, local progressGood progress is being made on improvements at Kopuaroa Hill, where contractors are working to realign State Highway 35 and stabilise the road as part of the SH35 and connecting routes: resilience project. Works are underway cutting into the uphill embankment to shift the highway onto more stable ground. The work is being undertaken by Ruatoria-based contractor H Blackbee Contractors Ltd. This is a significant milestone for the Blackbee team, as it’s their first time working directly with Waka Kotahi as lead contractor. Managing Director Boss Blackbee says, “We’re proud to have this opportunity to grow our people and our business and take them to the next level. We’re all local and are doing our best to deliver better roads for our people. We are hiring and bringing up local people to develop them into this industry and looking after our whanau.” They are also supported by another local Ruatoria-based contractor, Tairāwhiti Contractors Ltd, who are providing the traffic management. Both firms are Māori-owned and based less than 17km from the project site, while Tairāwhiti Contractors is also one of the few female-owned contractors in the country. The crews worked together on the successful repair of the Mangahauini No.1 bridge abutment after it washed out in March 2022. |
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SH2 Waikoau Hill slow vehicle bay delayed by weatherPoor weather has seen delays in the extension of a slow vehicle bay on SH2 at Waikoau Hill. With earthworks complete, crews are now laying pavement when the weather permits and hope to progress to sealing in the next fortnight. The project is now likely to be finished in November, following line marking and the installation of guard rails and signage. Before it can be opened to motorists, crews need to repair a drop-out further down Waikoau Hill. Repairs will start in early November and are expected to be completed before Christmas. |
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Image: CHB Earthmovers and Fulton Hogan on the job constructing a new slow vehicle bay on SH2 Strong progress on SH2 passing opportunitiesContractors Fulton Hogan and CHB Earthmovers are putting in the hard yards as part of our work to provide more passing opportunities between Napier and Wairoa. A new slow vehicle bay on the southbound lane of SH2 near the Mohaka Viaduct is progressing well. Earthworks are nearing the halfway point, and drainage works are expected to start in November if the weather is favourable. This project is funded by Kānoa - Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit and is expected to open in March 2023. |
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Upcoming work this summer
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About Connecting TairāwhitiThe Connecting Tairāwhiti programme is focused on working together with regional and community partners to significantly improve safety and driver experience on our state highways, create employment opportunities, and provide a more resilient roading network for local communities. Connecting Tairāwhiti projects are part of the Tairāwhiti Roading Package, funded by Kānoa - Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit. You can see more about all the Connecting Tairāwhiti projects on our interactive map here. Here are some of the great companies we are working with: |
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Subscribing to this newsletterPlease feel free to share this newsletter with your networks and encourage them to subscribe below to stay well informed about what’s happening on our region's highways. If you do not wish to receive these newsletters in future, please click unsubscribe at the end of this email. |
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More information |
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For more information or to give feedback, email ConnectingTairawhiti@nzta.govt.nz
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