Roads

Construction has started on an $82m project that will see significant safety improvements made to State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block in Taranaki.

State Highway 5 between Taupō and Napier will reopen to all traffic on Monday after weeks of repairs after the devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle in February.

Six flood and cyclone-hit areas will get a boost with new Bailey bridges that will reconnect isolated communities.

Travellers between Auckland and Northland are advised to check the status of roads before heading out as key highways remain closed.

Visitors to Kenepuru and the Marlborough Sounds are encouraged to use a water taxi to avoid getting caught in road closures.

The final closed section of State Highway 6 between Blenheim and Nelson is expected to open at 1pm today, with temporary measures in place including speed restrictions and traffic controls.

State Highway 6 from Nelson to Blenheim remains closed until at least Tuesday, says Waka Kotahi.

Challenging driving conditions could continue all this week across the South Island, warns Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

Significant progress” is being made on restoring 460km of Marlborough’s road network following floods that affected the region last year.

Access to Kenepuru Road between the Water Tank slip and Sandy Bay in the Marlborough Sounds will open to restricted public access from Friday 11 March.

The road between Te Anau and Milford Sound/Piopiotahi is closed due to ongoing high avalanche risk.

NZTA is asking for public feedback on road speeds along State Highway 75 and a section of State Highway 73.

Bridge supports Climate Change Commission target of reducing emissions by making walking and cycling easier.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will close a main arterial route to Auckland Airport for safety improvements and road widening.

Motorists going away for Auckland Anniversary weekend are urged by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to plan ahead, be patient, drive to the conditions and avoid busy travel times on state highways.

The route spanned 341km from Otepoti/Dunedin to the foot of the Southern Alps at Queenstown.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will fund the $2m repair of the last 3km of Lower Hollyford Road in Fiordland.

Travel might be more spread out across the country with holiday makers taking the opportunity to have a longer break and exploring different regions to normal.

Wellington City Council has secured $1m from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to design four Innovating Streets pilots with the community.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is advising all drivers to avoid unnecessary journeys and check highways before setting off as snow and ice falls over the South Island.

Snow and wind have closed highways across New Zealand, including the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has confirmed the first 11km section of the flood-damaged Lower Hollyford Road in Fiordland will be repaired, at a cost of $400,000.

Popular tourist route Milford Road, SH94, remains closed due to avalanche risk.

Queenstown Lakes District Council calling for local feedback on proposed options to improve crossing the Kimiākau Shotover River, complementing the Edith Cavell Bridge.

Locals are invited to find out more about planned improvements for the Forgotten World Highway.

The Government will invest nearly $3m into the Buller District Council to kick start the post-Covid 19 rebuild.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will close Homer Tunnel for road resurfacing following Queen’s Birthday weekend.

Public submissions on plans for a new highway to replace the closed State Highway 3 Manawatū Gorge route are now open, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is advising drivers there will be delays in and out of Hanmer Springs while the bridge on State Highway 7A, over the Waiau River, is being resurfaced.

A further $13.4m will be spent on improving State Highway 43 the Forgotten World Highway.

Convoys of buses for visitors and essential services vehicles to Milford Sound Piopiotahi are continuing this week, with a small change in frequency and timing from Thursday.

The first convoy of essential services vehicles and material went in and out of Milford Sound Piopiotahi, on Saturday, two weeks after torrential rain closed the highway.

A four-wheel drive route into Milford Sound Piopiotahi is now available for emergency services, and essential services convoys are planned to start this weekend.

Good progress building a four-wheel drive, single lane route into Milford Sound Piopiotahi has been made in the past few days of sunshine

The Milford road remains cut off but others are reopening across the region, says Emergency Management Southland.

New reduced speed limits have been adopted by Queenstown Lakes District Council.

The new investment will help Queenstown cope with a growing number of tourists and residents.

Construction has started on the upgrade of State Highway 20B to Auckland airport.

The Homer Tunnel on SH94 between Te Anau and Milford Sound has reopened, allowing hundreds of queued cars to pass through from Milford Sound.

Two popular tourist routes in the South Island will be affected by maintenance and resealing this week.