SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa

Safety improvements project update

28 May 2024

Sharp Road roundabout looking sharp

Summer is well and truly behind us, and with winter just around the corner, our summer works season has come to a close. Now is a great opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved over the warmer months and highlight what to expect as you travel through the work sites through the middle of the year.

We have now completed the intersection upgrade at SH2/Sharp Road - this is the fourth roundabout we’ve finished on the project and is another fantastic milestone for both the team and for road users, who’ll enjoy a safer journey through the area. 

The construction crew has moved all the way down to the Apata Curves, where they’re busy widening the road and preparing to start work on the fifth roundabout on the project.

SH2 between Waihī and Ōmokoroa safer for everyone

Work on SH2 has been underway for several years - to make this stretch of road safe we have: 

• ­widened 40km of road to give greater recovery distance and consistency across the corridor, the effect of this has also improved visibility
• put in 29km wide centreline to help separate oncoming traffic 
• installed 49km life-saving roadside safety barriers giving protection from trees and deep ditches (these barriers have been struck 47 times since being installed in 2020) 
• made intersections safer with wide shoulders and 22 right turn bays
• ­removed overhanging shelter belts reducing hazards and ongoing disruption from maintenance 
• shifted power services underground, and removed all overhead mains cables, eliminating unprotected power poles. 
• upgraded 4 intersections with roundabouts to provide safe turnaround areas to enable flexible median barriers 

We’d especially like to thank local residents for your support and patience through this work - as well as the hundreds of thousands of people travelling through our construction sites each year.

Watch the video highlighting how this work creates a safer and more efficient SH2

Infrastructure improvements on state highways play a key role in reducing deaths and serious injuries.

Evidence based road design at Athenree Gorge

One of the high-risk spots along this stretch of SH2 is through the Athenree Gorge. It has a record of recent serious and fatal crashes and the team has been working hard to install safety measures, including 3.8km of median barrier now near completion.

This section of SH2 is a good insight into how the rest of the state highway will look like as we get stuck into the next part of the median barrier installation, between Wharawhara Road and Morton Road.

The roundabouts along this section are between 1.9km and 3.8km apart.

Changes ahead

Now that we have completed the SH2/Sharp Road roundabout, we are able to move onto the installation of 8km of median barrier between Wharawhara Road and Morton Road.

Once in, this will be a substantial change for many people, and the community has been vocal on the installation of the median barrier. The changes will mean some people need to consider their journeys differently following these upgrades.

Reducing right turns will not only provide safety benefits, it will improve overall traffic flow. This may mean different access in and out of properties, and drivers will no longer be able to make U-turns across the highway. Instead, you will need to travel to the closest roundabout to make your turn – a slightly longer, but far safer option given the high – and increasing – traffic volumes along the corridor.

We appreciate this isn’t the most convenient option for everyone – but this is about safety of everyone using the road.

Crashes at intersections from vehicles crossing the centreline on this section of SH2 are the main cause of deaths and serious injuries on SH2.

We have discussed the plans with those living along the corridor to find out how they use this section of road and this engagement with the community has been an important contributing factor to inform designs.

We've heard lots of questions from the community around this work. If you would like to view previous information provided about any of these early stages of the project see the links below:

• Feasibility Design Report 2021
• Consultation summary 2021
• Proposed options booklet 2021
• Engagement summary 2023
• Frequently asked questions

How median barriers work

This video shows a real-life example of how median barriers are protecting people in Aotearoa. Before crashing with a large truck in the opposing lane, the car approaching the centreline was stopped. Thanks to the flexible barrier in the middle, both drivers were able to go home to their families and friends and with no serious injuries.

Watch this video to see how median barrier prevents a head-on crash:
 

Road Safety Week - Matahui School

Our Waihī to Ōmokoroa project team loved their visit to Matahui School at Aongatete, near Katikati, as part of Road Safety Week! The kids were awesome acting out a real construction site – with ‘big truck’ Joe and the chance to have a go on the two-way radios – or walkie talkies. 

Road Safety Week is coordinated annually by Brake and involves hundreds of schools, organisations and communities each year.

Read more about Road Safety Week here 

An update on the SH2 maintenance programme

More than 10kms of resurfacing took place during summer between Bethlehem and Athenree. We have been fortunate with several spells of fine weather, which meant teams pushed through this ambitious programme. We understand road works have been frustrating for some drivers, but making the most of the warm weather means our roads will be stronger and more resilient for longer.

Contractors are currently working through plans for night works to patch the network on several sites between Katikati and Bethlehem. This work is expected to begin soon. There will be no traffic management during the day for this work but please look out for instructions from traffic management teams when travelling at night.

Setting the record straight on motorcyclists and barriers

People on motorcycles have a higher risk of getting seriously hurt or even killed on our roads. They are more exposed, and our roads and roadsides can be unforgiving.

Installing roadside and median barriers – particularly flexible road safety barriers – reduces the likelihood of motorcycle casualties by up to half. This is because motorcyclists are more likely to survive an impact with a roadside or median wire rope barrier than an impact with a tree, pole or oncoming vehicle.

There is solid evidence dispelling assumptions that increased risks of flexible barriers for motorcyclists are unfounded. In fact, the evidence shows the opposite.

In Sweden, a survey of more than 600km of flexible barriers on their roads had no record of motorcycles being ‘sliced’ by the barriers. Sweden has seen a 40-50% reduction in risk in motorcyclists killed on their 2+1 system where wire rope barriers have been installed, as vehicles crossing the centre line and causing head-on crashes are avoided.

See this leaflet for more information

Safe riding tips for motorcyclists