Work currently underway to rebuild an approximately 1.5 kilometre section of State Highway 5 Napier-Taupō Road will be extended until the end of June.

Crews have been rebuilding a stretch of road near Harapaki Wind Farm using a widely-used material called foamed bitumen.

Foamed bitumen stabilisation strengthens the sections of road where the underlying layers are in poor condition. Once fully installed, foamed bitumen stabilisation traditionally creates a more waterproof and resilient structure compared to traditional methods of road construction.

Unfortunately, in this instance, a mix of very heavy and sustained rainfall, particularly during Cyclone Vaianu, and issues during sealing the bitumen, has resulted in the need for extensive repair.

The rain events in April caused water to go through the road layers, leading to the newly sealed surface failing.

Over the next month, temporary traffic management will remain in place while crews resurface the road to make it safe and useable over the colder, winter months.

This resurfacing work is weather and temperature dependent. Because the site is at a high altitude and we’re coming into winter, the colder temperatures make it challenging and the window for working each day is limited. This combination is making it difficult to get the drying conditions needed for a quality seal.

We expect to return when the weather is warmer and drier, to permanently repair this stretch of road.

Traffic impact

People can expect stop/go traffic management, with delays of up to 20 minutes while these repairs are completed.

Work will continue during daylight hours, Monday to Saturday under stop/go traffic management with up to 20-minute delays possible. This resurfacing work is dependent on weather and temperature, and road users may not see crews and machinery actively working on the road if it is too cold.

Kings’ Birthday weekend

We know the coming long weekend is traditionally another busy period for SH5.

From 12pm midday today (Friday 29 May), work will pause ahead of afternoon traffic.

There maybe the possibility of activity on site during Saturday and Sunday then work will continue Tuesday 2 June under stop/go traffic management.

Thank you

We know this has been frustrating and disruptive for residents, travellers and freight operators. We would have preferred this site to be completed by now and have this important stretch of road, which includes a passing lane, open without restrictions a lot earlier.

Thank you to everyone for your patience while we work through the challenges at this site.