Winter temperatures have crews on standby overnight to monitor the state highway network north and south of Gisborne.
  
Monitoring will focus on areas known for snow and ice, particularly Traffords Hill and the Wharerātā area, both on State Highway 2. If required, crews will treat the road surface to reduce the risk of ice forming.  

Winter brings with it a different set of driving skills and NZ Transport Agency’s priority is to ensure all road users get to where they need to go safely and efficiently and return home at their end of their drive.

Take extra care, slow down, increase your following distance and drive to the conditions, particularly in areas prone to ice, such as shaded areas or bridge decks.

Conditions can change quickly in winter,  if conditions worsen, we might temporarily close the state highway for everyone’s safety. Please expect the possibility of a short-notice closure.

Closing roads is our last resort, so other options to reduce/remove ice will be considered first, such as placing grit on the surface to improve vehicle grip, alongside the use of safety signage and traffic management to support positive driving behaviour.