Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and Gisborne District Council have completed the most significant component of the Gisborne-wide asphalting programme, with the asphalting and resurfacing of the Gladstone Road bridge deck and replacement of the deck joints. Structural repairs to the underside of the bridge have also been completed.

Regional manager maintenance and operations Jaclyn Hankin said the extensive programme of nightworks has progressed well, despite some challenges, with work undertaken by a specialist team from Wellington.

“Weather has been our biggest challenge – going right back to the significant weather events in March and April,” she said.

“We need fine weather and temperatures of seven degrees and rising to do this type of work. Rain has really impacted the work and temperatures have been consistently dropping over the last few weeks.”

Hankin said there had also been challenges associated with undertaking the work at night, which is done to reduce disruption to the community, and the difficult nature of the material required for this type of work.

Work at the following sites is still left to finish:

SH35/Awapuni Road Railway, between MacDonald Road and Aerodrome Road – approximately one night;

Armstrong Road – approximately two days;

State Highway 2, between Nicks Head Station Road the Whareratas – approximately three days.

All work is expected to be complete by August.