ROADING UPDATE – ŌTOROHANGA DISTRICT

Ōtorohanga District Council and roading contractors Inframax Construction Ltd are working together to repair damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure. Please respect the road closures.

Updated 3 March

Otewa Road is now open with one lane. Please drive with caution through the marked lane. Do not stop or walk under the slip. Drivers of large vehicles are advised to take particular care and make their own judgement whether to proceed.

We would like to thank the community for your patience as we work to repair the remaining roads damaged in the recent severe weather event that are currently closed. Our contractors have been working hard since the February floods to repair the roads and clear debris from slips affecting roading.

We appreciate there have been significant impacts on some in the community. We provide information below on progress on the closed or partially closed roads.  Some will take longer to repair as they have more significant damage. We want to ensure lasting solutions.

Timeframes below are weather-dependent and subject to change as new challenges may be discovered as we continue the work. If you don’t have residents only access, please respect the road closed signs. Please keep an eye here for the latest roading updates.

ROADS CLOSED

Lurman Road (Maihiihi): A large amount of slip material is being moved from the road. There are numerous culverts under the road that require unblocking. Only residents are permitted to drive on this road at this time. We hope to open this road during the next week. This is subject to change depending on progress.

Mangati Road from RP 7000 onwards (Puketotara): The bridge was washed away in the storm, so we have created a temporary gravel ford to enable the small number of residents living beyond the bridge to travel. The ford is strictly for residents only (RP 7000 onwards), and depends on the water level in the stream. We will look to build a permanent bridge in the next two weeks and the road will reopen fully then. Note: there are two Mangati bridges in the Ōtorohanga District. This one on Mangati Road is owned by Ōtorohanga District Council, and the other one on State Highway 39 is owned by NZTA.

Pirongia West Road (Pirongia/Te Pahu):  This road is open except at the Pekanui Road end, at the bush area. There are multiple slips for approximately 3km, beginning 5km from the Pekanui Road end of Pirongia West Road.  The closure does not affect properties. Our contractors are clearing the bush section, and we anticipate we may be able to open the road in 2 weeks.

State Highway 39 between Ngutunui Rd and Te Tahi Rd: Due to bridge and road flood damage, SH39 is currently closed between Ngutunui Rd and Te Tahi Rd. (Source: NZTA). Transport Minister Chris Bishop on 26 February announced that a temporary bridge is expected to be in place on State Highway 39 by mid‑March, reconnecting the community south of Pirongia after Mangati Bridge was destroyed in the floods. Please note: Tihiroa to Puketotara Road is open. Puketotara Road to Te Tahi Road is closed. Te Tahi Road to Pirongia is open. Ōtorohanga to SH31 and Ngutunui Rd is open. There are two Mangati bridges in the Ōtorohanga District. This bridge on SH39 is owned by NZTA . The Mangati Bridge mentioned in the second bullet point above, in Puketotara, is owned by Ōtorohanga District Council. For the latest information on state highways, check: NZTA Waka Kotahi's online journey planner 

ROADS OPEN WITH ONE LANE ONLY

The following roads are open but have sections reduced to one lane, due to slips or dropouts. (A dropout is when land underneath a road falls away). We have crews working on these roads so you may encounter delays. Thank you for your patience.

• Aotearoa Road
• Bayley Road
• Hikurangi Road
• Kio Kio Station Rd
• Kiwi Road
• Maihiihi Road
• Mangati Road (to approx. 7km mark)
• Ngaroma Road
• Otewa Road (drivers of large vehicles to make their own judgment whether to proceed)
• Otoru Road
• Paewhenua Road
• Pirongia West Road (open except at Pekanui Road end)
• SH31 (between SH39 and Ngutunui Road)
• Tauraroa Valley Road
• Taupaki Road
• Te Kawa Road
• Wairehi Road