A stretch of State Highway 2 north of Bay View will be closing for one night next month for essential bridge maintenance.

The road, between the SH5 Napier-Taupō Road turnoff and North Shore Road in Whirinaki, will be closed overnight Sunday 11 October from 8pm til 4am the following day.

During the closure, crews will be renewing the road surface of the approaches at either end of the Esk River Bridge and the Esk Rail Overbridge.

The work will be completed during the one night closure but relies on dry weather.  If the weather is wet, the work will be shifted to the following Sunday (18 October).

A full closure is needed because the road and bridges aren't wide enough to safely accommodate both traffic and the work at the same time.

There’s no viable detour during the closure, but emergency services will be assisted through the worksite.

We know this stretch of SH2 is an important connection for those heading between Napier, Wairoa and Gisborne, and across to Taupō.  

To minimise impacts as much as possible, the main strengthening work has been scheduled overnight when traffic volumes are lowest. The road will reopen 4am Monday 12 October.

Once complete, the renewed road surface on the bridge approaches will help provide a safer, more reliable journey for people travelling through the area.