Stretch of Desert Rd to be closed to fix Waihohonu Stream Bridge

This will be the second time the Waihohonu Bridge has been shut. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A stretch of Desert Rd will be closed for a day and a half this week.

Its the second closure of the stretch of road and will start on April 19 at 7am and run until April 20, 7pm.

This will allow the second part of the concrete deck to be poured on the Waihohonu Stream Bridge which was damaged in a crash last year.

New Zealand Transport Agency Waikato transport systems manager Karen Boyt said anyone planning to travel on the Desert Rd should check the Transport Agency website or phone the call centre because the closure would be weather-dependent.

"This will be the last full closure and we'd like to thank people for their patience while we've carried out this necessary repair," she said.

"People should expect delays on the detour route. Our website and social media will be updated so keep an eye on those, or call us on 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) so you're aware of what's ahead of you."

The first closure was completed last month.

Outside of the closure times people can expect the bridge to be down to one lane, with some short closures of around five minutes. There is a 30km limit in place.

The bridge is expected to be open to two-way traffic without restriction from May 3.

The detour route during the closure is State Highways 46, 47, 4, and 49. This detour is not suitable for vehicles over 46 tonnes, apart from 50MAX which is permitted.

High productivity motor vehicles can use the SH3 and SH3A route between Hamilton and Bulls.

Vehicles with overweight loads or over-dimension loads wider than 3m have been unable to use the Desert Rd section of State Highway 1 since repairs started in February.

There are also multiple maintenance work sites on the Desert Rd during this period and delays are possible at other sites.

The closure dates are subject to fine weather. Updates will be posted on Twitter, Facebook and at www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic.