High productivity motor vehicles (HPMVs) travelling through the central North Island now have an alternative route between Tokoroa and Turangi if State Highway 1 is closed.

HPMVs can now use SH32 and SH41 on the western side of Lake Taupo. The opening of this route means that freight can be moved through the Central North Island should SH1 be closed, rather than waiting for that route to open or taking lengthy detours via SH5 to Hawke‘s Bay or SH3 to Taranaki.

Operators are encouraged to use SH1 as their primary route. This newly opened route joins SH5 and SH1B in the Waikato, and the Waihi end of the BOP SH2 route to Tauranga, both of which recently opened to HPMVs. The Transport Agency is carrying out strengthening works on the Tongariro Bridge on SH1 at Turangi to ensure it will continue to be fit for use by HPMVs.

The HPMV SH32–SH41 bypass route will be added to existing permits with a permit addendum issued from the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Transport Agency permitting office.