The latest update from New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi on the Tīrau to Waiouru accelerated maintenance project.
SH1 Tīrau to Waiouru
Check out the upcoming dates for closures at nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh1-tirau-to-waiouru-maintenance/. You can also keep up to date by signing up to the e-newsletter.
East Taupō Arterial
From Monday 11 November to Friday 6 December, SH1 will be closed between the Wairakei Roundabout and the Broadlands Interchange. The detour route for all vehicles is: Southbound traffic on SH1 will turn left onto SH5, right onto Ohaaki Road, right onto Broadlands Road, and left back onto SH1. Northbound traffic will follow the same detour in reverse. Taupō will be very busy during December and there will be pressure on the highways and local roads in the area due to the various events as well as the road works. Motorists are encouraged to use the official detour. Those travelling to north or south destinations either side of Taupō may prefer to use other state highway routes such as SH3, SH4, SH32 and SH49.
Putāruru to Tokoroa
From late-November (weather permitting), for around 4 weeks there will be closures along SH1 between the SH1/SH28 Putāruru intersection and the SH1/SH32 Tokoroa intersection. In the coming weeks we are expecting to finalise the full programme, the timing of the closures, and the detours that will be in place. As soon as we do, we will let you know.
Tokoroa to upper Ātiamuri
Full closure is in place and will run until mid-November (weather permitting). This site is one of the larger and more complex ones, spanning 17km and encompassing 4 separate work areas, ranging from 2.9km to 5.7km in length. SH1 traffic heading to Taupō and further south is being detoured via SH32 and SH30 (light vehicles only) and vice versa (also known as Maraetai Road in Tokoroa, Whakamaru Road and Ongaroto Road in Ātiamuri). This will add approximately 16 minutes (23km) to journey times. The road between the SH1/SH32 (Maraetai Road) and the hard closure (near Campbell Road) will be accessible for residents. Heavy vehicles are detoured via SH5 and SH30. Those wanting to access the Tokoroa Golf Club should use Old Taupō and Kinleith roads and then will have access on SH1 to the Club. The Oji Fibre Solutions Kinleith Mill is accessible for people who have been permitted by Forestry to use their private roads or use the SH30/32 detour. Those wanting to access business in southern Tokoroa within the soft closure (such as Subway or Robert Harris) are able to do so.
Ātiamuri to Wairakei
Work and traffic management will continue on this stretch of SH1, with sealing, stabilisation works and installation of the median safety barrier underway. Stop/go is in place until mid-November, so please allow extra time.
Travelling from Hamilton to Waiouru or further south: An alternative route for those travelling longer distances, such as Hamilton to Waiōuru is to take SH49, SH4 and SH3 (or vice versa). SH4 is now suitable for HPMV for the duration of the SH1 Tīrau to Waiōuru renewal project.
