Takaka Hill ongoing road repairs; advice for people going to and from Golden Bay this summer

Reconstruction and repairs to State Highway 60 on Takaka Hill are progressing right through the Christmas/ New Year holiday break, says the NZ Transport Agency.

The hill and highway was washed away in several places during the storms in the wake of ex-cyclone Gita in February this year.
Repairs started last summer, they continue this summer and major work is scheduled for 2019/20.

Whilst on most parts of the state highway network, roadworks close down from midday Friday, 21 December to 9am Monday 7 January, work will continue on Takaka Hill in the 1.5 km area contained within the one-lane section, controlled by traffic lights, bar some key statutory public holidays.

“There will be more traffic with people going to Golden Bay for the holiday period,” says Transport Agency System Manager Pete Connors.
”We ask everyone to expect delays, particularly between 10am and 2pm. Running a red light is dangerous and has severe safety risks, as there is no room for two-way vehicle traffic and no room to turn around. If there is a crash, it will stop traffic for a long time.

“Please be patient, we want everyone to enjoy their holiday, arrive safely and get home safely.”

The bottom of the hill traffic signals are just after the turn-off to the Riwaka Valley Road on the Motueka side of Takaka hill. The one-lane section goes for approximately 1.5km up the hill. Traffic travelling towards Motueka will be held at the top end of the one-lane section with time delays displayed beside the lights by electronic signboards.

• The Transport Agency’s Traffic Operations Centre in Wellington will be keeping a watch on the traffic signals to ensure the traffic is flowing well.
• To report an urgent fault or issue on the Takaka Hill please call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS.
• Speed restrictions of 30km/h are in place through the one-lane areas.
• There is no stopping in the one-lane section so please ensure your vehicle is roadworthy and reliable. Turn off your lights while waiting at either end of the queue point so that your battery does not go flat.
• Motorcyclists are asked to stay in the queue. Do not jump the queue or go to the front and no stopping or overtaking.
• Cyclists are able to bike the hill, but we ask that they and all drivers take special care and be aware that people will need to wait if there is a cyclist ahead of them.
• Project page Takaka Hill SH60 repairs:https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh60-takaka-hill-repairs/?stage=Live

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