SH35 works at two major sites progresses

People travelling on State Highway 35 between Maungahauini Gorge and Kopuaroa are being reminded to plan ahead, as recovery and resilience work continues.

Temporary traffic management will be in place over the coming weeks at both sites, with delays of between 5 and 10 minutes expected at each site.

Mangahauini Gorge – final works

Road resurfacing works are getting underway from Monday 7 September at Mangahauini Gorge, with crews entering the final six weeks of construction at this site, which was badly damaged during Cyclone Gabrielle.

These works include resurfacing approximately 1km of highway, guardrail installation and line marking – and will complete all works through the gorge. The road will be sealed in stages, with crews completing the southbound lane before moving to the northbound lane.

At times, lane closures may remain in place overnight while road resurfacing work is underway.

A temporary speed limit of 30km/h will apply through the work site, with traffic lights controlling one-way traffic.

Kopuaroa Hill – weekend work

Earthworks, drainage and slope stability improvements are continuing on a section of SH35 at Kopuaroa Hill, north of Te Puia Springs with weekend work now scheduled to start from tomorrow (Saturday 5 September).

Work began in August to install around 60 horizontal drains, extending approximately 100 metres into the hillside from road level, to help reduce groundwater pressure and improve slope stability.

Work will take place 7am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

During working hours, road users can expect one-lane traffic management controlled by traffic lights, with delays of approximately 5 to 10 minutes.