Repairs underway at State Highway SH58 in 2019. (File photo) Photo: RNZ / Ben Strang
Widespread delays are expected across the Wellington Region and Coromandel Peninsula as major highway closures begin this week.
Waka Kotahi warned it planned to close several large arterial routes for road works to be carried out, with the disruptions expected to snarl travel across the wider areas.
Wellington' Haywards Road was to close overnight on three days, shunting tens of thousands of vehicles onto SH1 and 2, and Wellingtonians were being asked to avoid travelling during those times.
And at a time when the Coromandel Peninsula's vital SH25A cross-peninsula road remains closed, work on SH25 would mean long periods of closure for the only other major connection across peninsula, over ten dates.
The agency also said a bridge closure on SH2 North of Napier would also cause problems while strengthening work was carried out.
Haywards Rd/SH58 weekend closure expected to disrupt other motorway traffic
Congestion is expected for much of the Wellington Region when the Haywards Road (SH58) closes this week, Waka Kotahi said.
State Highway 58 connects Kāpiti and Porirua to the Hutt Valley and averages about 20,000 vehicles a day. It is scheduled to close at 8pm on Friday 28 April and reopen at 4am Monday 1 May.
Waka Kotahi regional manager Mark Owen said the closure would likely funnel thousands of extra vehicles onto SH1 and SH2 instead.
The traffic agency advised people to avoid travel if possible, prepare for delays or use public transport.
Contractors plan to reconstruct a section of the highway to build a new median and side safety barriers on the stretch of SH58 between Moonshine Road and Mt Cecil Road.
Emergency services and residents who lived inside the works area would be able to drive through the road works as needed, but there would not be access to properties and businesses on the road that fell outside the works area without driving around to either end - a long detour.
The alternative of keeping part of the road open would mean the works would take longer, Owen said.
Coromandel Peninsula works to close SH25
Road works closures to part of the Coromandel Peninsula's SH25 coastal loop road will be a blow for residents and businesses in the area while the other major connection - SH25A which crosses the bottom of the peninsula - remained closed.
Waka Kotahi Waikato manager Cara Lauder said SH25 was an essential link connecting the peninsula's towns, but the work was needed for safety.
After recent storms the road at Kereta Hill between Manaia and Wilsons Bay was very narrow and needed to be closed during the work to keep both travellers and road workers safe.
It would be shut during some days and some nights, but emergency vehicles could still use the road during those closures.
Closures during the day were planned for 11am to noon on Friday 28 April, Tuesday 2 May and Friday 5 May.
The night work was planned for seven weeknights from Wednesday 26 April until Thursday 4 May, closing each night sometime between 8pm and 11pm and reopening the next morning at 5am.
The work was weather dependant, so the times and dates could change, the agency said.
"Waka Kotahi understands how vital the Coromandel loop road is, especially while State Highway 25A is closed, however this repair work is essential ahead of winter," Lauder said.
SH2 bridge north of Napier to close at night for three weeks
Three weeks of overnight closures were planned for the Esk Bridge in Hawke's Bay, for strengthening to take place, and some restrictions could happen during the day.
The bridge takes State Highway 2 across the Esk River about 10km north of Napier.
Testing last year, prior to Cyclone Gabrielle, showed the 81-year-old bridge would not hold up as traffic demand increased.
Starting on Sunday 30 April the bridge would close each night at 9pm and reopen the next morning at 5am.
The works would be carried out five nights a week, from Sundays through to Thursdays - with no works on Friday and Saturday nights. The last closure was expected to finish at 5am on Friday 19 May.
Waka Kotahi regional manager Jaclyn Hankin said closures at other times could also be required, but stop/go traffic management would be in place for those.
The bridge was currently still safe to cross, she said, as long as speeds were kept to 30km/hr to reduce vibrations.
Emergency services would still be able to cross the bridge during the closures if required.
"We acknowledge that there is never an ideal time to do road works. To minimise disruption to road users it is also better to complete this work now, with SH2 still being closed to the public and with a very limited number of trucks using the road at night-time," Hankin said.
She asked residents for their understanding and cooperation.
"Despite the limited use, we know these overnight closures will still be inconvenient for residents and those who rely on this access."