The Transport Agency advises motorists in Northland that further road works are about to start on State Highway 1 near Oakleigh and will involve night closures.

The new work is focussed on repairs and resurfacing of the three Mata Bridges between Oakleigh and Ruakaka.

This new work is in addition to the ongoing night-time road repairs at Oakleigh which started in early February. Those works are taking longer than expected because of the wet summer weather and now won’t be finished until after Easter, says the Transport Agency’s System Manager Steve Mutton.
The new Mata Bridges work south of Oakleigh is scheduled to start on Sunday 18 March and take four nights. The work will be done in three stages and is weather dependent meaning they may be postponed at short notice.

The Transport Agency thanks motorists for their patience and understanding as essential maintenance to improve safety and resilience is carried out in this stretch of State Highway 1.

Stage One of the new work will start on the most northern of the three bridges on Sunday night, 18 March.

There will be stop/go traffic management in place from 7pm – 9pm and a full road closure from 9pm – 5am.

The detour for northbound traffic is via Salmon Road and Springfield Road and back on to State Highway 1. Southbound traffic will travel the same route in reverse.

Stage Two works on the other two bridges will take place on Monday and Tuesdaynights. Stop/go traffic management will be in place 7pm – 9pm and a full road closure from 9pm – 5am each night.

The detour for northbound traffic will start at State Highway 12 to Paparoa and follow Paparoa - Oakleigh Road, Paparoa Road and Mangapai Road before rejoining SH1 north. Southbound traffic travel the same route in reverse.

The detour will add an additional twenty kilometres to journeys between Brynderwyn and Whangarei.

The detour is not suitable for HPMVs which will need to park and wait at the closure point.

Northbound traffic heading to Ruakaka and other destinations south of the closure point will be allowed to continue on State Highway 1.

Stage Three resurfacing work will take place on Wednesday night with stop/go traffic management from 7pm – 9pm and a full road closure from 9pm – 5am.

There are two options for motorists during the full road closure. Option one is to use the Stage 2 detour via SH12 above.

Option two is to continue on State Highway 1 and park and wait at the closure point instead of using the detour.

Delays of at least an hour and a half can be expected with traffic being let through the area between resurfacing works where possible.

The Transport Agency urges motorists to allow extra time for their journey or reschedule it to avoid the closures.

“Please follow the directions of the road crews, keep to the speed limits, and take extra care on the detour route which may be unfamiliar to regular travellers in the region,” says Mr Mutton.
See attached illustrations

Stage One detour on the night of Sunday 18 March

Stage 2 & 3 detour on Monday 19 March and Tuesday 20 March

Map shows the location of the three stages of the Mata Bridges repairs and resurfacing

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