Te Matau-a-Māui – Hawke’s Bay

 

The forecast $410 million investment in the Hawke’s Bay land transport system during the 2021–24 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) period is targeted at improving safety and resilience while supporting the region’s economy and forecast growth. 

Te Matau-a-Māui – Hawke’s Bay NLTP 2023 update

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Latest news

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SH50 Waipawa River Bridge connection restored

Regular users of State Highway 50 can breathe a little easier, with the Waipawa Bridge now open to traffic.

SH50 Waipawa River Bridge connection restored

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SH51 safety improvements underway

Our contractors are making great progress on the SH51 Napier to Hastings safety improvements project. We have tweaked the programme to focus on the barrier installation first, which is a crucial step in making this section of the SH51 corridor safer.

SH51 Napier to Hastings safety improvements

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Waikare Gorge realignment and new bridge

We've reached a major milestone in our work to strengthen the resilience of State Highway 2, with resource consent for a new Waikare Gorge bridge lodged.

The project will see a new 160-metre bridge built across the Waikare Gorge (view preferred bridge option below) and a 3.9km realignment of the road.

SH2 Waikare Gorge safety realignment

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SH2 from Wairoa to Napier is open

State Highway 2 between Wairoa and Napier was reopened following a massive effort by roadworkers to restore the highway and build a temporary Bailey bridge.

Contractors continue to progress repairs on the highway between Waikare Gorge and Napier.

Watch our video on the SH2 reopening(external link)

Major work underway

Map showing location of key projects in the Hawke's Bay region

View larger map [PDF, 720 KB]

Hawke’s Bay cyclone recovery

State highways in Hawke’s Bay were significantly damaged during Cyclone Gabrielle. Our teams are on the ground, working hard to reconnect communities and get Hawke’s Bay moving again.

Hawke’s Bay cyclone recovery

Focus on rural state highways

Making SH2 between Wairoa and Bay View safer is a priority. We are making steady progress on the $32.5m SH2/SH35 passing opportunities project. Four slow vehicle bays have been constructed at Matahorua, Kotemaori, Wharerata and at Waikoau Hill, with another two currently in construction at Mohaka and Kakariki (near Kotemaori). These are in addition to a number of existing slow vehicle bays already on SH2. Unfortunately, a number of sections of SH2 have been significantly damaged by the cyclone and are needing repair.

SH2/SH35 passing opportunities

Saving lives – supporting regional growth

A fit-for-purpose transport network is essential to support the growth of the Hawke’s Bay region. The SH2 College Road to Silverstream project aims to increase regional development, safety, resilience, and accessibility. The $13 million project includes road realignment and passing opportunities.

SH2 College Road to Silverstream Station

Improving a vital route

State Highway 5 is a critical link between Hawke’s Bay and the Upper North Island. Feedback from stakeholders and the public included concerns about the lack of sufficient investment in this corridor and of a long-term corridor investment plan. There have been a large number of serious and fatal crashes that have led to 130 death and serious injuries over the last seven years. The implementation of the 80km/h speed limit (for approximately 60% of the corridor) was the first step to significantly reduce deaths and serious injuries. This is, however, only one component of making SH5 safer and more resilient. We are now working on programme for short-term and long-term investment. We are also progressing a Programme Business Case (PBC) to develop solutions for the corridor alongside our partners and stakeholders.

Maintenance update

Maintenance activity undertaken during 2022/23

  • Rehabilitation (completely rebuilding the road) – 5.2 lane kms
  • Resurfacing (replacing asphalt) – 1.3 lane kms
  • Resealing (adding new layer of chipseal) – 109.5 lane kms
  • SCRIM resealing (improving skid resistance) – 3.7 lane kms
  • Network renewed – 11.3%
  • Total state highway maintenance spend – $19,629,330

Maintenance summary infographic for Hawke's Bay 2022/23 [PDF, 785 KB]

Planned maintenance for 2023/24

  • Rehabilitations – 9.3km
  • Resurfacing – 2.1km
  • Resealing – 124.8km
  • Percentage of network to be renewed – 12.9%
  • Total state highway spend – $16.1m

Planned maintenance infographic for Hawke's Bay 2023/24 [PDF, 1.1 MB]

Consultations

Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency sought feedback on its speed management plan for state highways. Submissions closed on 12 December 2022. 

The plan is now undergoing the certification process with a newly formed Speed Management Committee, which provide an independent review of Waka Kotahi speed management plans and advise the Director of Land Transport.

Once a decision has been made by the Director, which we anticipate will happen later this year, we will publish it on our website. We will also inform all partners, stakeholders, and submitters that requested an email update of the outcome.

Interim State Highway Speed Management Plan consultation