State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier open all hours

State Highway 2 snakes up from Devils Elbow. The road opened to daytime traffic two weeks ago, and from yesterday, is now open 24 hours, seven days a week. The stretch of highway between Wairoa and Napier, a crucial link for Tairāwhiti and Wairoa, suffered the most destruction in Cyclone Gabrielle, with damage to around 100 sites. Picture supplied

State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier will be open around the clock from today, said Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

That stretch of highway suffered the most destruction as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, with damage to around 100 sites, including the Devils Elbow and Waikare Gorge bridge.

Following completion of the Waikare Gorge Bailey bridge, the highway opened to daytime traffic a fortnight ago.

The road has been closed to night-time traffic since it reopened to help keep everyone safe, said Waka Kotahi Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations Jaclyn Hankin.

“Our contractors worked incredibly hard to reopen the road to daytime traffic earlier this month, but we needed more time to ensure the road was as safe as it could possibly be for night-time traffic.

“It still looks very different from what it looked like before the cyclone, however, over the past few weeks, our contractor has installed guardrail, reflective cat eyes, safety poles and additional cones to make the section through Devil’s Elbow safe for overnight travel.

“We’ve also used the extra fortnight to complete strengthening work at Esk River Bridge on SH2, just north of the turn-off to Taupō,” Ms Hankin said. “Completing work at the bridge has meant the 30kmh temporary speed restriction has been lifted.

“Last night (Monday) crews used the final night closure to reseal the road at Waikoau Hill where a major underslip site was repaired just before the cyclone.”

Ms Hankin said despite this progress, there was still significant work to do – most of which remains dependent on favourable weather conditions and, therefore, likely to be completed in spring and summer.

“In the meantime, work to maintain access and levels of service will continue throughout the winter months.

“There will still be temporary speed restrictions and stop/go controls in a number of places. Please be aware of the conditions, take care, don’t rush and abide by the traffic controls in place,” she said.

“Opening this vital connection has been a huge step forward in our cyclone recovery work and being able to extend the opening to 24/7 is another boost for freight and the communities that rely on this key connection between Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti.

“We want to reiterate our gratitude to everyone travelling this road for their patience. It’s been a trying time, and we’re delighted to take another step toward a return to normality.”