The new year will see a raft of activity taking place alongside Hawke’s Bay Expressway, as work progresses on the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme.

State Highway 2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway is the backbone for transport between Napier and Hastings and beyond and the RoNS project will see the most congested section of the expressway 4-laned for safer, more efficient travel.

Last week, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) confirmed details for the start of bridge piling at the Tutaekuri River Bridge and also further north at the second Meeanee Road overpass. Full details of piling work in the links below:

Tutaekuri River Bridge

Meeanee Road overpass

Work at both sites will start in January.

Here’s a run down of activity motorists can expect to see (including the piling work) as the project ramps up to create a safer, more efficient expressway.

SH2 south of Tutaekuri River Bridge to Links Rd/Pākōwhai roundabout

• We’ll install/relocate the steel barrier along the northbound lane on Tuesday 6 January, working from 8pm til 5am.
• Stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits will be in place, with up to 10 minute delays.

SH2 north and south Tutaekuri River Bridge

• From Monday 12 January to early July, we’ll install piles for the new Tutaekuri River Bridge. Expect several 5 to 10 minute traffic stops, Monday to Friday, between 10am and 2pm.
• The stops are required to safely lift the 36 metre long piles into place using a crane.
• Delays, including queue clearance, will be 10 to 20 minutes. The maximum number of stops per day are 4. This schedule will repeat until July 2026.
• There will be no detours in place. More information

SH2 at Meeanee Road overpass

• Overnight closures starting Thursday 8 January to Thursday 22 January (Sunday to Thursday), 8pm to 5am each night.
• During the closure, the flexible median barrier will be removed and the road will be resurfaced.
• Traffic in both directions will be diverted off SH2 at the Meeanee Road off-ramps and back onto SH2 via the on-ramps. Expect minor delays.
• During the day, both lanes will be open under a 70km/h temporary speed limit.
• The overpass will reopen 5am, Friday 23 January.

SH2 Taradale Road roundabout to Meeanee Road

• Overnight closures starting Sunday 25 January to Thursday 26 February, 8pm til 5am each night. No work on Fridays and Saturdays.  
• Work includes flexible median barrier removal, temporary paving, line marking and the installation of temporary safety barrier.
• Detour suitable for all vehicles including HPMV via Meeanee Road, Lee Road, Gloucester Street and Taradale Road (and reverse). Overdimensional vehicles and emergency services will be escorted through the site. 

Take extra care when driving on the Expressway

Work sites are active near the Taradale Road roundabout and Tutaekuri River Bridge, with another planned at Meeanee Road to start early next year.

Please take extra care when driving through the expressway. Your patience helps keep everyone safe - thank you.

Hawke’s Bay Expressway RoNS project(external link)