SH2 Pakipaki to Waipukurau

We made the road safer

Thirteen people died and 62 were seriously injured on this road between 2006 and 2015. Most of these crashes happened when drivers lost control and drove off the road or crossed the centreline and hit an oncoming vehicle.

Between 7000 and 10,000 vehicles travel the 38km stretch of highway each day. It’s an important route for locals, freight distribution and tourists so we’re making the following improvements to make it safer for everyone. 

Improvements

• Installed rumble strips to warn drivers who stray out of their lane. 
• Created a wide centreline in some areas to keep traffic apart, reducing the risk of head-on crashes.
• Created a wider sealed shoulder so there is room to recover if drivers lose control of their vehicle.
• Installed roadside barriers to stop drivers hitting something harder like a tree, power pole or ditch.
• Installed median barrier between Waipawa and Waipukurau to stop head-on crashes.
• Removed the south-bound passing lane for safer intersections. 
• Making it safer to turn.