Update: State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill summer maintenance – work finished ahead of schedule

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Road crews have finished this work ahead of schedule and the road closure planned for tomorrow (Friday, 29 November) is now no longer needed. These works are now finished.

NZTA/Waka Kotahi thanks the public for their patience and cooperation while this essential summer state highway maintenance was completed.


2:26pm, 28 November 2024

Crews working on Tākaka Hill have completed chipsealing between Riwaka Valley Road, Riwaka and the Tākaka Hill summit.

It means the site has been shortened for the remaining works, with the closure points now at the Tākaka Hill Summit and Aaron Creek Road.

Drivers heading to or from Riwaka and Tākaka must be aware of and prepared for the summit and Aaron Creek Road closure points.

The road opening times remain the same - 10:30 am, 12 noon and 1:30 pm.

The chipsealing is on track to be completed, and the road closures to end by 3 pm tomorrow (Friday, 29 November) as initially scheduled.


21 November 2024

Summer maintenance work on State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill enters its final pre-Christmas phase next week.

Nighttime road asphalting work was completed earlier than planned – meaning night closures were able to end ahead of schedule this week.

However, planned chipsealing remains to be completed. This will proceed as originally scheduled next week from Monday, 25 November, until Friday, 29 November.

The highway will be closed daily from 9 am to 3 pm. The road will be reopened every 90 minutes (ie 10:30 am, midday, and 1:30 pm) to let queued traffic through.

The chipsealing must be done during the day when conditions are warm and dry to ensure it’s effective. This is why daytime road closures are needed.

Drivers travelling the route must factor the closure into their travel plans, and delays can be expected until the work is completed.

State Highway 60, Tākaka Hill, day closures:

  • The closure will be in place between Riwaka Valley Road, Riwaka and Aaron Creek Road, Upper Tākaka and will run from Monday, 25 November to Friday, 29 November.
  • The closures will be between 9 am and 3 pm.
  • During this time there will be openings every 90 minutes at 10:30 am, 12 noon and 1:30 pm.
  • It will take some time to clear queued traffic so plan ahead for delays.
  • Traffic management will be set up between 6 am and 9 am and will be removed between 3 pm and 6 pm.
  • Access will be available for residents, businesses, and emergency services.

30 October 2024

Night and day-time closures get underway on State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill next week, with maintenance work planned for the route.

It is deliberately timed for November to ensure the highway is clear for all drivers over the summer holidays.

Between Sunday, 3 November, and Sunday, 24 November, the road will be closed every Sunday to Thursday from 8 pm to 5:30 am with a short opening around 1 am for queued traffic.

Then from Monday, 25 November, until Friday, 29 November the highway will be closed from 9 am to 3 pm. During this time, the road will be reopened every 90 minutes to let traffic through.

Contractors will spend the first two weeks of night-time closures asphalting parts of the road surface on both sides of the hill. They will also carry out other work, such as clearing water channels, fixing slips and guard rails, and completing general maintenance.

Because of the road’s narrowness and to keep contractors safe, the road must be closed while the work is done. It will also allow the maintenance to be completed much faster.

Chipsealing will then be carried out during the day-time closures. This work must be done during the day when conditions are warm and dry to ensure the chipseal is effective.

NZTA/Waka Kotahi appreciates the Tākaka Hill is a vital transport link for residents and local businesses which is why day-time access on the route is ensured. Day closures are timed to avoid the school bus run and peak commuting times.

Contractors will make the most of the closure to speed up repair work at the underslip site on the Riwaka side of the hill. The aim is to have this section of road repaired and reopened to two lanes before Christmas.

This work will be disruptive, and its important people travelling on State Highway 60 between Golden Bay and Motueka factor it into their travel plans.

Once asphalting work on Tākaka Hill is completed during the night closures, contractors will move onto SH60 Commercial Street in Takāka. More information on this work will be shared soon.

Works schedule: 

  • Work is from Sunday, 3 November, to Friday, 29 November 2024.

Night closures:

  • The closure will be in place between Riwaka Valley Road, Riwaka and Aaron Creek Road, Upper Tākaka and will run from Sunday, 3 November to Sunday, 24 November (no work on Friday or Saturday nights).
  • The closures will be between 8 pm and 5:30 am.
  • The road will open once each night around 1 am for traffic at two road closure points.
  • Vehicles travelling over the hill need to be at the Aaron Creek Road closure point by 12:30 am or at the Riwaka Valley Road closure point by 1 am.
  • Access will be available for residents, businesses, and emergency services.

Day closures:

  • The closure will be in place between Riwaka Valley Road, Riwaka and Aaron Creek Road, Upper Tākaka and will run from Monday, 25 November to Friday, 29 November.
  • The closures will be between 9 am and 3 pm.
  • During this time there will be openings every 90 minutes at 10:30 am, 12 noon and 1:30 pm.
  • It will take some time to clear queued traffic so plan ahead for delays.
  • Traffic management will be set up between 6 am and 9 am and will be removed between 3 pm and 6 pm.
  • Access will be available for residents, businesses, and emergency services.

Works location:

Summer Maintenance Season - tips and advice

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