The NZ Transport Agency advises motorists of a revised plan for night time closures on to repair and resurface the three Mata Bridges. The start of works had been cancelled because of bad weather.
All going well, the work requires four nights of closures on SH 1 between Oakleigh and Ruakaka. But the forecast is for continued unsettled weather, so the new plan is to start on the two bridges closest to Ruakaka on Sunday 25 March and Monday 26 March, says the Transport Agency‘s System Manager Steve Mutton.“These bridges are the highest priority and we might not be able to get more than a couple of nights of work completed. If there are more weather disruptions we‘ll have to wait until after Easter.” “We‘ll plan to get the job done, but it is weather dependent so may be postponed at short notice.”
Sunday 25 March – Monday 26 March: Stop/go traffic management will be in place 7pm – 9pm and a full road closure from 9pm – 5am each night. The detour for northbound traffic will start at State Highway 12 to Paparoa and follow Paparoa – Oakleigh Road, Paparoa Road and Mangapai Road before re-joining SH1 north. Southbound traffic will travel the same route in reverse.The detour will add an additional twenty kilometres to journeys between Brynderwyn and Whangarei.
The detour is not suitable for HPMVs which will need to park and wait at the closure point.
Northbound traffic heading to Ruakaka and other destinations south of the closure point will be allowed to continue on State Highway 1.
Tuesday 27 March: Work on the most northern of the three bridges is scheduled for Tuesday night 27 March. There will be stop/go traffic management in place from 7pm – 9pm and a full road closure from 9pm – 5am. The detour for northbound traffic is via Salmon Road and Springfield Road and back on to State Highway 1. Southbound traffic will travel the same route in reverse.
This detour is also not suitable for HPMVs which will need to park and wait at the closure point.
Wednesday 28 March: The final resurfacing is scheduled for the night of Wednesday 28 March. There will be stop/go traffic management from 7pm – 9pm and a full road closure from 9pm – 5am. There are two options for motorists during the full road closure. Option one is to use the detour via SH12 above. Option two is to continue on State Highway 1 and park and wait at the closure point instead of using the detour.
Delays of at least an hour and a half can be expected with traffic being let through the area between resurfacing works where possible. The Transport Agency urges motorists to allow extra time for their journey or reschedule it to avoid the closures.“Please follow the directions of the road crews, keep to the speed limits, and take extra care on the detour route which may be unfamiliar to regular travellers in the region,” says Mr Mutton.
Glenvar Rd, Long Bay Auckland
Glenvar Rd, Long Bay is closed to Westbound Traffic with a detour in place. Eastbound traffic is restricted to one narrow lane with a chicane and consequently is not able to accommodate over width or over length vehicles. The detour route using Strodwick & Fitzwilliam Dr (westbound) may be the best alternative for eastbound oversize vehicles if they do not wish to use Browns Bay to access the Long Bay development area.
SH1 Southern Motorway (Manukau – Papakura)
As part of the Southern Corridor Improvements Project, a temporary new road layout will be in place:
• southbound over Pahurehure Inlet from 5am Saturday 24 March 2018; and
• northbound over Pahurehure Inlet from 5am Monday 26 March 2018.
All motorway lanes will shift east to enable the demolition and rebuilding of the current northbound motorway bridge over Pahurehure Inlet.
Great South Road, Takanini
CPB will once again be completing work on Great South Rd at the underpass of SH1 commencing Sunday night the 8th of April. Over dimension detour signage will be in place. (see attached)
Night Closures 8.00pm to 5.00am. Southbound Sunday 8th April, Northbound Monday 9th April. Alternate dates: 10/11thApril.
SH2 Maramarua
Passing lane at Maramarua Golf Course will be closed on Monday 2 April from 9am until 8pm. This closure on Easter Monday will make travel safer and avoid accidents caused by traffic merging at the end of the lanes. The on ramp flow at Koheroa Road onto SH2 will also be managed with a stop/go in place.
State Highway 1 Desert Road
The State Highway 1 Desert Road closure has now been confirmed for Monday 26 March despite calls from National Road Carriers for this work to be completed over a weekend.
The road will be closed for 36 hours from 7am Monday reopening at 7pm Tuesday to enable the concrete deck to be poured on the Waihohonu Stream Bridge. The bridge was damaged in a crash last year.
NZTA Waikato Transport Systems Manager, Karen Boyt, says road users should ensure they check the NZTA website or call us because the closure will still be weather permitting.“We understand the closure of the Desert Road has a major impact on people and business and we‘d like to apologise in advance for the disruption this work will cause.
“People should avoid travelling if they can or expect delays on the detour route. Our website and social media will be updated so keep an eye on those or call us on 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) so you‘re aware of what‘s ahead of you,” Ms Boyt says.
Earlier scheduled closures have been delayed because of wet weather and a health and safety issue. Another similar 36-hour closure is scheduled for late April, this will also be weather permitting.
Outside of the closure times people can expect the bridge to be down to one lane, with some short closures of around 5 minutes. There is a 30km/h limit in place.
The alternative route is State Highways 46, 47, 4, and 49. This detour is not suitable for vehicles over 46 tonnes, apart from 50MAX which is permitted. High productivity motor vehicles can use the SH3 and SH3A route between Hamilton and Bulls. Vehicles with over-weight loads or over-dimension loads wider than 3.0 metres are unable to use the Desert Road section of SH1 until the bridge repairs are complete in April.
There are also multiple maintenance work sites on the Desert Road during this period and delays are possible at other sites.
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