Pre-seal repairs, resealing, road rebuilding, underslip repairs and bridge inspections. It’s all go on State Highway 2 between Napier and Wairoa this month and into summer.

There are currently around 10 active worksites between Wairoa and Napier, including 5 Cyclone Gabrielle recovery projects.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is asking people to plan for delays to their journey as a result of the work going on. If you’re travelling between Wairoa and Napier, please plan for an additional 30 minutes to journey times, as crews continue this extensive programme of work.

People will see a variety of work happening throughout this stretch of road, including at Mōrere, Mohaka, Sandy Creek, Lake Tūtira, White Pine Bush, Devil’s Elbow and areas just north and just south of Wairoa.

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“We know there’s a lot going on and we know people have well and truly experienced their fair share of disruption on the stretch of road since Cyclone Gabrielle hit,” says Rua Pani, Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations for NZTA.

“Doing this work in spring and summer when more traffic is often on the road is the catch 22 – warmer and drier weather is better suited to new seal, helping the new road surfaces to last longer.

“The level of activity also reflects the scale of investment in both recovery and long-term maintenance. It’s all about building a stronger, safer network for the future. It’s crucial not just for the recovery of the road and the region, but also keeping the rest of the network safe and reliable with planned work to rebuild and reseal roads.”

One of the busiest work areas in the past has been Devil’s Elbow. The Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) alliance is in the final few months of recovery work at Devil’s Elbow. 

A key milestone is expected before Christmas, with two-lane access set to be restored at Devil’s Corner. In January, TREC will also be asphalting 4.5km of the Devil’s Elbow section, which will mean a smoother drive for everyone using this route.

Traffic management

We’re coordinating the works to manage the cumulative delays during the day, and maximising road closures when we can.

During the weekdays, most sites are under manual traffic management and crews monitor the delays to minimise wait times as much as possible. Delays at most sites will be less than 5 minutes, except for Devil’s Elbow which can be up to 10 minutes.

Drivers should plan for an extra 30 minutes to the journey between Napier and Wairoa over the next 2 months.

Safety reminders

Please follow crew instructions and observe temporary speed limits to keep everyone safe.

Many of our sites have automated traffic lights at them at nights and weekends, which operate one direction at a time. Driving through a red light risks a crash and causes delays while crews reset the system.

We’re working hard to complete this mahi as quickly and safely as possible, and we appreciate your patience. Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding as we complete this essential work.