SH2 passing lanes to speed up travel

Tangoio Falls Scenic Reserve, SH2, one of nine passing lanes planned between Napier and Gisborne, to reduce driver frustration. Photo: Duncan Brown

The construction of new passing lanes at the northern end of the Tangoio Valley and near Tutira may cause some minor delays for motorists during the next couple of months but in the long term it will speed up travel on State Highway 2 between Napier and Wairoa.

New Zealand Transport Agency contractors are creating nine new passing opportunity sites on the highway through to Gisborne. Seven will be on the stretch to Wairoa and two in the Morere region between Wairoa and Gisborne.

When the work is wrapped up in about four months time the passing opportunities will be extended from the present 4.87km to 7.15km, and are mainly aimed at assisting motorists in getting past heavy vehicles which use the highway.

The Tangoio work site is near the scenic falls reserve and the second site about 4km north of Tutira.

Minor delays can also be expected at several sites along State Highway 5 between Napier and Taupo as clearing of minor slips and reinstatement of roadside drains takes place.

The works are being carried out between the Esk Valley and Tarawera.

Drain maintenance is also being undertaken on the northern side of the Titiokura Saddle about 7km north of Te Pohue.

On State Highway 50 between Napier and Dannevirke scattered clearing of minor slips is under way between Fernhill and Takapau and minor delays can be expected at all sites.

There may also be occasional delays due to a tree felling operation being carried out 4km south of Onga Onga.

Motorists using State Highway 38 between Wairoa and Waikaremoana are advised to drive with care through the Makapua Stream Bridge stretch 22km west of Frasertown.

A temporary bailey bridge structure with unsealed approaches is now in place alongside the bridge which was damaged by a falling tree last month.