Wellington

Important information for drivers:

• The Metservice has issued a strong wind watch for Wellington, eastern Marlborough Sounds and the Kaikoura Coast. It is in effect this afternoon and into this evening (Friday, 24 November) with severe gales forecast. Road users - particularly motorcyclists, truck and van drivers, and towing vehicles – must take extra care in exposed areas. Strong wind gusts don’t just affect your driving. They can create other hazards like treefalls, downed powerlines, and blown debris. Check weather and road conditions before you travel.

Heads up for main Wellington region state highway roadworks in the coming week

• Mackays Crossing, LOCAL ROAD CLOSED UNDER CROSSING
• Friday night, 5pm-5am
• LOCAL ROAD CLOSED for asphalt resurfacing
• Signposted detour for local traffic

Old SH1, Ōtaki River Bridge

• Monday to Friday, 9 am-3 pm (until early December)
• Stop/go traffic controls for bridge assessment

Old SH1, Peka Peka, north of Peka Peka Road

• Monday to Friday, 7 am – 7 pm
• Stop/go traffic controls for chipsealing

Old SH1, south of Ōtaki, Ōtaki Gorge Road

• Thursday and Friday, 8.30 am-4 pm
• Stop/go traffic controls for chipsealing

Old SH1, Ōtaki - north of Waitohu Valley Road

• Monday to Friday, 7.30 am – 5 pm
• Stop/go traffic controls for footpath installation

SH1 Pukehou Bridge, south of Manakau

• Sunday to Friday nights, 7 pm-5 am
• Stop/go traffic controls for safety improvement project

SH1 Ohau, between Ohau River and Ohau Railway bridges

• Tuesday night, 7 pm-5.30 am
•  Stop/go traffic controls for asphalt resurfacing

State Highway 58        

Pāuatahanui, near Bradey Road

• Friday night, 5pm-5am
• Stop/go traffic controls for asphalt resurfacing

State Highway 2                                                       

Remutaka Hill, Featherston side

• Saturday to Friday, day/night
• Stop/go traffic control around slip site

Wairarapa

State Highway 2                                                          

Waingawa, Norfolk/Cornwall roundabout CLOSED

• Sunday to Tuesday nights, 7pm-6am
• Road CLOSED for chipsealing
• Signposted detour via local roads

West Featherston, southbound

• Sunday and Monday nights, 7pm-5.30am
• Stop/go traffic controls for sign renewal

Featherston, near Moore Street, northbound

• Sunday and Monday nights, 7pm-5.30am
• Stop/go traffic controls for sign renewal

North of Featherston, near Boundary Road to Camp Road

• Sunday through Wednesday nights, 7pm-5.30am
• Stop/go traffic controls for chipsealing

Greytown, near McMaster Street

• Sunday to Tuesday nights, 7pm-5.30am
• Stop/go traffic controls for raised pedestrian crossing project

Carterton, near Park Road

• Tuesday and Wednesday nights, 7pm-5.30am
• Stop/go traffic controls for raised pedestrian crossing project

South Masterton, near Ngaumutawa Road

• Sunday to Thursday nights, 7pm-6am
• Stop/go traffic controls for asphalt resurfacing

Several locations between Kiriwhakapapa and Mount Bruce

• Monday to Friday during the day, 7am-4.30pm
• Stop/go traffic controls for barrier installation

North of Mount Bruce

• Monday to Friday during the day, 7am-4.30pm
• Stop/go traffic controls for road reconstruction

SH1, Cobham Drive between the two roundabouts

There will be night-time asphalt resurfacing work on State Highway 1 at Cobham Drive scheduled for Sunday 26 November and Monday 27 November, weather permitting.

•  SH1, Cobham Drive between the two roundabouts 
•  Sunday 26 and Monday 27 November
•  8pm-4.30am 

Traffic is being managed with a northbound lane closure. This means vehicles will travel on the right-hand side lane while the works is happening. Please take care when passing through work sites.

2024 maintenance closure dates confirmed for State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill

There are some crucial dates to add to diaries and planners for regular users of State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill.

Planned night closure dates for 2024 are now confirmed (see table below), with 31 overnight closures scheduled between January and June. This is a larger number than usual.

Mark Owen, Regional Manager Lower North Island / Top of the South, says substantial work is planned, and an extra 13 nights have been added to the work programme.

“We are looking to tie in safety improvement works into the maintenance schedule. This will see extra side barriers; motorcycle under-barriers and improved road signage will begin to be installed during a 10-night closure in March.”

State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill, planned night closures. January - June 2024:

Important information for Remutaka Hill closures:

• Escorted crossings are available during closure nights but must be booked in advance. We always communicate well before planned closures and provide contact details so bookings can be made.

• Bookings can be made online on the Waka Kotahi website:

• Remutaka Hill Closure Escort Booking Form

• The escorted crossings are for light vehicles only. To keep our contractors safe, heavy vehicles can’t be accommodated.

• Full access is always available for emergency services.

• More information about planned maintenance closures for Remutaka Hill can be found on our website:
• SH2 Remutaka Hill road night closures

Background information on planned safety improvements:

• We are installing additional side barriers at high-risk locations and extending motorcycle safety under-barriers, along the Remutaka Hill. We are also installing further motorcycle under-barriers, to improve safety for motorcyclists. The improvements include improved road signage and markings.
• Road safety improvements like better barriers mean that when a driver makes a mistake, and a crash occurs, it's less likely to result in people being killed or seriously injured.
• The installed side barriers will ‘catch’ vehicles that leave the road, grabbing you before you hit something harder, on or over the side of the road.

Motorcycle under-barriers can reduce serious injuries and deaths by redirecting riders along the barrier and away from the guardrail posts, if they come off their motorbike. Over half the people who have lost their lives or been seriously injured on the Remutaka Hill in the last five years have been motorcyclists. The under-barriers will make the hill safer for them.