Upcoming roadworks on State Highway 1 (SH1) near Halletts Bay, between Taupō and Tūrangi, will mean that road users need to plan ahead to ensure they avoid road closure periods.

Road rehabilitation work is scheduled to commence on Tuesday 30 January 2024 and will take approximately 5 days to complete (weather permitting). 

As the worksite is located at a narrow section of road, there is not room for both machinery and cars side by side. The only option is to close the road for periods of time to complete the work, says Andrew Oakley, System Manager at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

“The 330m section of road needs to be reconstructed, as the underlying layers of the road have reached the end of their useful life. Unfortunately, a closure of the road is the only safe way to complete this. 

“We have worked with our contractors to minimise disruption as much as possible. Starting Tuesday 30 January, the road will be closed between 9am and 2:30pm and will operate under stop/go traffic management between 7:00am and 9:00am, and again from 2:30pm until 7:00pm for commuter traffic.“

Outside these hours the road will be open to traffic travelling in both directions, with a temporary speed limit in place.

This sequence will be in place Tuesday to Friday, with Saturday as a contingency day if required. Monday 5 February the road will be open under stop/go traffic management.

Foam Bitumen Stabilisation, an innovative construction method which recycles existing material from the road and mixes it with bitumen, is being used to minimise the time spent fixing the road surface.

“We appreciate that this work is disruptive to both local residents and business owners, as well as those taking longer journeys. This work was postponed due to Cyclone Gabrielle last summer and is now urgent.

“We’ve chosen an option that reduces disruption as much as possible, while providing a great outcome for road users moving forward,” says Mr Oakley.