Resurfacing work on the Desert Road on SH1. Photo: Supplied by NZTA
The Desert Road between Turangi and Waiouru will close for two months over summer for repairs.
Waka Kotahi says because of the freezing temperatures, the section of State Highway 1 needs to be shut over the busy summer period from 6 January until the end of February.
Desert road to close for two months in summer
The repairs include rebuilding nearly 16 kilometres of road and replacing the deck of the Mangatoetoenui Bridge.
Detours are likely to take drivers around the Western side of Tongariro National Park and add about 40 minutes to their journey.
It is likely that motorists would be detoured on (from north to south) - SH47, SH4, SH49 and back to SH1.
Regional manager of operations and maintenance Roger Brady told Nine to Noon: "I acknowledge it's going to be hugely inconvenient for that period."
Brady said the materials roading crews used didn't like cold weather so there was a small window to carry out the work at a warmer time of year.
Ground conditions needed to be above 13deg Celsius for the materials to bond correctly for a rebuild.
In effect, the work involved rebuilding the worst sections of the highway. It was part of the government's push to be "more efficient and effective in the way that we do things".
"To remove the risk of potholes for years to come we've actually got to completly rebuild the road."
It would be especially challenging for truck companies, however, the work was being done in part so the road would be better placed to handle the demands of heavy traffic.
Discussions had been held with the bosses of the national freight industry for some time.
"The freight companies have been exceptionally cooperative and understanding and we appreciate it."
There would be "soft closures" at each end to allow the likes of farmers, Fonterra and residents to go about their business.
"There's a lot of planning and coordination goes into that exercise to ensure local residents are incovenienced as little as possible."
It is part of a wider road repair work which Waka Kotahi describes as one of the largest and most ambitious maintenance projects undertaken in the country.
Accelerated maintenance will take place over a 16-month period.