Waikato state highway works August 2026

SH2 Karangahake Gorge upcoming closures

Daytime closures are ahead on State Highway 2 (SH2) through the Karangahake Gorge, and local and interregional travellers are urged to plan ahead.Rock scaling is needed on cliffs above a section of the state highway. A full closure is required because loose material may fall onto the road while crews are working. 

SH2 will be closed from 9am to 4pm each day during 2 work periods: 

Monday 24 to Friday 28 August
Monday 12 to Friday 16 October

The start and finish times for the daily closures have been pushed back by 30 minutes, with closures now operating from 9am to 4pm. This change allows more commuter and school traffic to travel through the gorge before the road closes.

The closure covers a 500m section of SH2, beginning near the historic rail tunnel bridge and extending toward Paeroa.