Regular users of State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill are urged to update their diaries and their planners with some critical dates.

The Wellington Transport Alliance has confirmed the night closure schedule for State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill for the rest of this year, providing certainty for those who regularly travel the route at night.

Roxanne Hilliard, Alliance Manager, says the information is critical for keeping travellers informed.

“We know how important this route is and we want to make sure no one is caught out by a closure. This is why we publish this information as soon as we can.”

“While drivers no longer need to book escorted crossings, they must still arrive on time. Planning ahead will help people avoid taking the much longer detour via SH3 Te Ahu a Turanga or the Pahiatua Track,” Ms Hilliard says.

In total,13 nights of maintenance night closures are planned for the second half of the year. This includes two week-long night closures - one in October and another in November.

State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill, planned night closures. July – December 2026:

Nights closed(Start 9 pm Finish 4 am)   Sunday 19 July 1 night. Sunday 16 August 1 night.  Sunday 13 September 1 night. Sunday 18 October 5 nights. Sunday 15 November 5 nights. 

Ms Hilliard says NZTA/Waka Kotahi and the Wellington Transport Alliance are aware some people are concerned about the night closures and the disruption they create for travel.

“The reality is night closures have far less impact on traffic and the public than if the work was done during the day under stop/go traffic management.” 

“Until around 2019-2020 we used to do most of the maintenance on the route during the day. It meant there were roadworks underway on the route for approximately 300 days of every year.” 

“Around 7,000 vehicles drive the route daily, but only around 300 travel at night. Night works mean most traffic is not affected,” Ms Hilliard says.

Upcoming night closure – 14 June 2026 - While the schedule for second half of the year is out, there is a planned closure happening on Sunday, 14 June that drivers need to be ready for. 

All road users who need to travel the route on this night must be on time for the scheduled escorted crossings.