UPDATE 4 June:

Road crews are making good progress on road rebuild works on State Highway 59 near Pukerua Bay.

Over the last two weeks, contractors have milled and removed around 2,550 tonnes of the old road surface, completing all of the excavations needed before the new road surface is laid.

They are continuing to clear drains, repair signs and safety barriers, and clear vegetation. 

They have also replaced three streetlights and resurfaced a car park/layby adjacent to the highway.

With the road rebuild continuing and a new road surface being laid, it is estimated that around 1,900 tonnes of asphalt will be used to complete the rebuild works.

This work is expected to continue until mid-to late June. The work does require fine weather so schedules may be affected if it rains.

Because of the size of the machinery needed to lay the new road surface, and the restricted road space available, nighttime closures of the highway are still required.

They will remain on the current schedule – Sunday to Thursday nights, 8 pm to 4:30 am. 

However, drivers and residents can expect to see traffic management set up from 7 pm each night. The highway will be open while this is underway, but travel delays should be expected.

While access will be retained for affected residents and emergency services, all other traffic should detour via State Highway 1 Transmission Gully (see map below).

This section of State Highway 59 carries over 10,000 vehicles daily. This road rebuild will extend the road’s life, reduce future maintenance costs, and make it safer and more reliable for the public.

Work schedule:

Ongoing until mid to late June - Sunday to Thursday nights, 8pm - 4:30am

• SH59 CLOSED between Paremata and Paekākāriki (near the Fisherman’s Table restaurant)
• Traffic should detour via SH1 Transmission Gully.

Update 6 May:

These works will now start on Sunday, 17 May. This is due to a reprioritisation of works across the region because of recent bad weather. 

Updated work schedule:

Sunday, 17 May (ongoing for approximately four weeks). Sunday to Thursday nights, 8 pm - 4:30 am

• SH59 CLOSED between Paremata and Paekākāriki (near the Fisherman’s Table restaurant)
• Traffic should detour via SH1 Transmission Gully

4 May:

With drainage and safety barrier works now complete on State Highway 59 north of Pukerua Bay, work to rebuild sections of the highway will begin next month.

From Sunday, 10 May, and continuing for approximately four weeks, road crews will be rebuilding the highway just north of Pukerua Bay village.

This section of the highway needs extensive work to make it stronger, smoother, and safer for traffic. A full rebuild extends the life of the pavement and reduces the amount of ongoing maintenance and repairs needed.

The road rebuild will require the road to be excavated to a depth of around 170 millimetres. This means the road will not be suitable or safe for traffic and the highway will be closed while work is underway.

The work and the road closures will be done at night – Sunday to Thursday nights, 8 pm - 4:30 am – this is deliberately timed when traffic volumes are at their lowest and minimises traffic disruption and delays.

Both lanes of the highway will be closed to traffic between Pa Road and Paekākāriki (near the Fisherman’s Table restaurant). 

While access will be retained for affected residents and emergency services, all other traffic should detour via State Highway 1 Transmission Gully (see map below).

The rebuild will affect access to properties, and residents in the road rebuild area will not be able to use their driveways while the night works are underway. Contractors will try to complete this section of the rebuild as quickly as possible, but residents should plan to be affected for up to five nights.

These works are weather-dependent, and schedules may change at short notice. Road users are encouraged to check road conditions before they travel.

Work Schedule:

Sunday, 10 May (ongoing for approximately four weeks). Sunday to Thursday nights, 8 pm - 4:30 am

• SH59 CLOSED between Paremata and Paekākāriki (near the Fisherman’s Table restaurant)
• Traffic should detour via SH1 Transmission Gully

Detour maps - Wellington Transport Alliance projects page (NZTA)(external link)