SH2 night closure of Waitangi bridge

The Waitangi bridge will close between 7pm through to 6.30am from next Monday. Photo / Craig Bell

The Waitangi Bridge at Awatoto on SH2 will be closed to night traffic from next Monday as contractors carry out the installation of piles for a future clip-on cycle way.

The bridge will close between 7pm through to 6.30am as pile-driving equipment will need to be placed across the roadway.

The work is expected to be wrapped up by April 25.

A spokesperson for Opus International said there would be no impact of motorists commuting between Napier and Hastings between 6.30am and 7pm, although people planning to travel between the twin cities at night need to plan their route.

Detour signage will be in place on Awatoto Rd, Meeanee Rd, the SH50 Expressway, Pakowhai Rd and Farndon Rd and night drivers have been advised travel times will accordingly be longer.

There will also be longer travel times for Napier-bound traffic on SH2 near Whakatu next week as a new sewer main is installed alongside the highway between Railway (Whakatu) Rd and Napier Rd.

Napier-bound vehicles will be detoured through Whakatu via Station St and Railway Rd. Hastings-bound traffic will experience only minor delays.

Motorists driving the northern stretch of SH2 between Napier and Gisborne can expect minor delays in the wake of speed restrictions and stop-go signage being put in place as the result of tree removal near the Devil's Elbow.

The three-day task is scheduled to begin on Monday.

Further south on SH2 there are various work sites between Pakipaki and Waipawa with minor delays expected.

On SH5 between Napier and Taupo repair work on the Mohaka Bridge continues with traffic lights and 30km/h speed limits in place. Delays up to five minutes can be expected.

Trucks using the single-lane bridge are advised to comply with the 60-tonne maximum weight limit and to maintain a 40m gap between other crossing trucks.

On SH50 there are minor work sites at Hyderabad Rd in Napier and pavement reconstruction at Waiohiki.