Wairarapa drivers and residents can expect a night closure on State Highway 2 tomorrow night, between Masterton and Carterton.

Weather permitting, road crews will be repairing wire rope median barriers. Two sections have been damaged in recent crashes. So far this year, there have been ten strikes on the central median barriers on State Highway 2 between Masterton and Carterton.

The highway will be closed between Hughes Line and the Norfolk Road roundabout tomorrow night (Tuesday, 17 June), between 10pm and 4am.

A local road detour will be available via Hughes Line and Cornwall Road. Drivers should allow extra time for their travel when using this route.

It is critical damage caused by barrier strikes is repaired. It ensures the median barriers can do their job, protecting drivers from the dangers of head on collisions.

Because the barriers are next to live traffic lanes, the highway will have to be closed while the repairs are completed. This ensures contractors can work safely, and it also allows them to finish the job faster.

Works schedule and detour route:

• Tuesday, 17 June, 10pm – 4pm.
• SH2 closed between Hughes Line and the Norfolk Road roundabout.
• Detour via Hughes Line and Cornwall Road.

More information:

Research shows median barriers virtually eliminate head-on crashes. Head-on crashes are the leading cause of death on state highways and account for approximately half of all deaths recorded.

• Safety infrastructure - road-safety-barriers(external link)
• Flexible road safety barriers(external link)
• Median Barriers: Dividing Fact from Fiction(external link) (research paper)
• Flexible median barrier stops a head-on crash(external link) (video)