More repair work under way on SH2 south of Wairoa

Repairs have started to storm damage on State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier including this section of road at White Pine Bush. Picture supplied

Work has started to repair and restore three sections of cyclone-damaged State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier.

Waka Kotahi/New Zealand Transport Agency expects those sections will be back to two lanes before Christmas.

Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) contractors will be working on sections of road at White Pine Bush, Mautaua, north of Kotemaori and Sandy Creek near Putorino.

“All three sites are down to one lane and are in need of rebuilding where they’ve slipped away,” an NZTA spokesman said.

“Rebuilding those sections of the road will involve installing new drainage and replacing the damaged road surface.”

“As work progresses at these sites there will be temporary traffic management in place and a temporary lower speed.

“The work to these sections of road will see crucial new drainage installed and aggregate used to build back the roads before being sealed,” the spokesman said.

“It’s important this work is done in the warmer months to allow the resealing to cure as quickly as possible.

“This stretch of SH2 has been a hive of activity for many months and we understand that these works will cause more delay.

“However, ultimately we’re confident the work will make people’s journeys more efficient as two lanes of traffic are restored to all three sites.”

Elsewhere on SH2, work started this week on the construction of a new slow vehicle bay at Kotemaori.