East Waikato

Work underway

SH25 Coromandel recovery works: Work is underway at 4 slip sites at Whangapoua Hill and another at Manaia Hill, with the work linked to the storm events earlier this year. All sites have lane closures and speed restrictions in place 24/7 with the stop/go controlled by temporary traffic lights. The Whangapoua works run into early October, with Manaia to finish later in October.

SH25 Tairua: The Pepe Stream Bridge replacement project runs until late 2027. Access across the stream is being maintained for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists but occasional delays can be expected. More information

SH27 Ohinekaua Stream Bridge replacement: A replacement bridge is being installed 5km south of Patetonga, with a speed restriction of 50km/h. Traffic is using a diversion around the site which includes a single-lane temporary bridge and delays can be expected. The diversion bridge is 3.2m wide and cannot accommodate over-dimension vehicles. More information

SH27 Piako River Bridge: Strengthening work continues until December, with a 30km/h speed restriction in place. Some single lane closures and stop/go may be required.

West Waikato

Work starting soon

SH39 Symes Bridge: From Monday 12 October Symes Bridge over the Moakurarua Stream, approximately 16km north of Ōtorohanga will be closed to all traffic for up to 2 months while the bridge deck and beams are replaced. While the bridge is closed, the official detour route for state highway traffic will be SH3 through Te Awamutu. For approximately 3 weeks before the closure begins there will be periods of Stop/Go traffic control at the bridge while scaffolding is built underneath and services that are attached to the deck are relocated.

Work underway

SH1 Waikato Expressway – Cambridge Section: Major asphalt renewal works continue on the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway to keep the route safe, resilient and ready for future growth. The team are nearing completion of Stage 6, the northbound lanes between the Northern Interchange (Velodrome/Cambridge West onramp) and the Tamahere Interchange. Weather delayed finishing work on the ramps and Stage 6 is expected to be complete next week (weather dependent). At the same time, they will be moving to widening works near the Cambridge Southern Interchange. This work will be done under temporary speed limits of 50km/h and 70km/h. Following that they will be completing asphalting on all ramps at the Victoria Road Interchange (Hautapu). This work is expected to start on Monday 21 September and go through to Tuesday 28 September with the ramps closed overnight between 8pm and 5am. They will start with the southbound ramps for 3 nights. The detour during this time for southbound SH1 traffic wanting to access Cambridge will be via the Northern Interchange (Velodrome/Cambridge West exit) or for southbound traffic wanting to leave Cambridge on SH1 via SH1B, Victoria Street, Duke Street and Tīrau Road, past the Cambridge Golf Course. More information

SH31 near the Kāwhia lookout: Work on an underslip near the Kāwhia lookout on SH31 is underway and completion expected late October. Crews will be working between 6am and 6pm Monday to Friday (Saturdays and Sundays may also be included as required). The road will be down to a single lane with stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place.

SH30 near Bennydale: Work on 2 underslips near Bennydale is underway, from 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday. There will be a lane closure with stop/go traffic management in place, and is due to be completed mid-October. Should weather cause delays work may also take place on Saturdays.

SH39 Mangati Bridge: The permanent replacement to the Mangati Bridge on SH39 between Ōtorohanga and Pirongia is now under construction. The old bridge was damaged beyond repair by flash flooding in February, with traffic currently using a single-lane temporary Acrow bridge. Traffic will continue to use the Acrow bridge until the new bridge is open to traffic in early 2027. Please drive carefully past the construction site and obey the posted speed limits.

SH3 Awakino Gorge closure: SH3 Awakino Gorge remains under stop/go traffic management while recovery works continue following severe weather damage in April. Significant progress has been made, including the installation of new larger drainage culverts to help stabilise the major slip site and improve route reliability. NZTA has now confirmed a long-term solution that will move the road away from the active slip towards the river and construct a retaining wall to support a new section of road. Additional measures, including a rockfall barrier and containment area, will help protect the route from future slip material. Work is expected to begin shortly, with two-lane access currently expected to be restored by mid-December, subject to weather and site conditions. Motorists should continue to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and check Journey Planner before travelling. More information

North Waikato

Work starting next week

SH1 Pioneer Road to Pōkeno: There will be a full northbound closure on Sunday 13 and Monday 14 September between 9pm and 5am. Northbound travel will be via one of the southbound lanes. The Pōkeno southbound on ramp will also be closed.

SH1 Springhill Road to Island Block Road: There will be a full northbound closure on Sunday 13 September between 9pm and 5am. Northbound travel will be via one of the southbound lanes.

South Waikato

Working starting next week

SH28: Road rebuilding will start on SH28 north of Okoroire Road on Monday 14 September using stop/go traffic management Monday-Friday between the hours of 6am-6pm. Work is expected to be completed 6pm Thursday 29 October (weather dependent). Please plan for delays of up to 10 minutes at this site during work hours. A 30km/h temporary speed limit will be in place while this work is undertaken and will remain in place outside of work hours. Other work happening in the area, includes ongoing road widening work happening on SH5 extending the existing wide centreline to the new SH28–Harwoods Road roundabout using 24/7 stop/go traffic management.

Work starting soon

SH1 Waiotaka Bridge: SH1 will be fully closed at Waiotaka No2 Bridge, near the Waiotaka Scenic Reserve between Tūrangi and Motuoapa, for 4 days from 8pm Thursday 1 October until 5am Tuesday 6 October while we carry out critical maintenance work. The closure points will be located at the intersections of SH1 and Grace/Waiotaka roads in Tūrangi, and SH1 and Korohe Road in Motuoapa. During the closure, a detour will be available via SH41, SH32 and SH30, adding significant time to some journeys. Please plan ahead and allow extra travel time. More information.

Work underway

Arapuni Dam: Arapuni Road across Arapuni Dam is closed for 24-36 months while Mercury carries out major repair work on Arapuni Hydro Dam. A temporary detour route via Powerhouse Road is in place during the closure for light vehicles only including cars, motorcycles, school buses, emergency services, and rigged trucks up to 8 metres. General through traffic, heavy freight/commercial vehicles and long-distance travel should detour via SH1/ SH21 and SH3.

SH5 South Waikato: Road widening to allow for wide centrelines has resumed along SH5 from near Waimakariri Road. Wide centrelines create more separation between vehicles and reduce the risk of head-on crashes. The current work covers 1.2km of SH5, extending the existing wide centrelines from Whites Road to the new SH28-Harwoods Road roundabout. The work will run until mid-December, under 24/7 stop/go traffic management, and minor delays are expected.