Nightly closure of Wharerātā stretch for road resurfacing

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Overnight resurfacing work at the Wharerātās on State Highway 2 gets under way on Monday.

That stretch of road will close each night at 8pm and reopen at 5am each day in time for early commuter traffic to pass through.

Subject to the weather, full road closures are scheduled from Monday, January 22, through to Friday, February 9.

“This programme is very reliant on good weather so is subject to change,” a New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi spokesman said.

“We advise all road users to regularly check our interactive Journey Planner for up-to-date daily information. Go to www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz

“If bad weather delays work at any stage, the road will be open that night.”

The spokesman said overnight closures would allow teams to do the resurfacing much more quickly and safely than they would under alternative traffic management.

Later in February, crews will head to Otoko for three nights of resealing with night-time road closures in place again to ensure the work can be done safely and efficiently.

More details about the Otoko work will be available when dates are confirmed.