Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has announced that SH4 Raetihi-Whanganui, better known as Parapara Road will be closed for four days in early March.
The announcement comes as NZTA continues its work at the Auraki Stream Rd Retreat site. The closure will allow contractors to safely conduct tree felling.
South of Raetihi, through to Whanganui be closed from 6am to 6pm from Tuesday, March 1 to Friday, March 4.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations, Jaclyn Hankin said, “The detour for light vehicles will be down Field’s Track Road, with access through the Whanganui River Road closure point to detour down Field’s Track Road. The detour for heavy vehicles will be via State Highway 49 and State Highway 1.”
This closure is set to cause significant delays, with motorists being asked to plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel or travel outside the closure times.
“Emergency services will be allowed through the closure, and we are working with local schools to ensure vehicles with children going to school in the area will be allowed through at designated times.”
The detour for light vehicles is expected to add approximately one hour to journeys, whilst the detour for heavy vehicles is expected to add approximately two hours and twenty minutes.
“We have already removed most of the trees under short duration Stop/Stop traffic control to minimise the closure duration. Many of the trees that remain are expected to fall on the road once felled. Closing the road will ensure the safety of the teams involved as well as road users.”
Ms Hankin noted that the work is yet another milestone for the repair work on SH4 Parapara Road following the major flood event in June 2015.
She went on to say “The current road is being affected by a slip at the Mangawhero River, so we are relocating the road away from where it has failed. This will mean a return to two lanes on this stretch of highway with no temporary traffic management or priority give way road layout.”
Horizons Regional Council approved consent for the main physical works, and a blessing was held for the site late last year with Ngāti Rangi, Te Korowai o te Awaiti, and Uenuku.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is urging travelers to plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey.
KEY INFOMATION:
The work will be carried out from Tuesday 1 March to Friday 4 March. SH4 between Whanganui and Raetihi will be closed between 6am and 6pm each day.
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- Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)
- Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
