Detours while bridge built at Matahorua

A section of State Highway 2 north of Napier will be closed this weekend with detours in place as construction begins on a new bridge at Matahorua Gorge.

SH2 through the gorge would be closed on weekends between 7am and 6pm until August 1, as contractors lifted the first sections of a new bridge into place to replace the existing highway.

Vehicles would be diverted an extra eight kilometres through Matahorua Road between Tutira, 43km north of Napier, and Samarkand.

Other 10-minute closures may be necessary through to mid-August to assist with the construction works, the New Zealand Transport Agency said.

Further closures were also planned for October and November.

The $30 million, 3.1km realignment project included a new 150m viaduct and a rail overbridge.

The project would be completed next year.

- NZPA