Roads update - 2 October 2015

Published on 02 October 2015

A spell of warm, dry weather is helping immensely to dry out material and we are able to cart it into tip sites which were previously bogged. No major issues have been reported this week.

Kaiwhaiki Road has been opened to light traffic. Watershed Road, Mangawhero Road, Kaukatea Valley Road and Otaranoho Road have been cleared of all overslips. Work is continuing on replacing road metal and restoring water tables.

A major focus remains on the Whanganui River Road where our contractors are conscious of minimising dust and disruption for residents while still making significant progress.

We have nearly completed our assessments of underslip dropouts throughout the district, including the 55km length of the Whanganui River Road to the Ruapehu District boundary. Work is progressing on eight dropout sites on the lower section of the River Road and we are planning to begin work on the upper section, just below Jerusalem, in November. There are 14 dropout sites in this 13km section.

There are currently 17 heavy machinery crews clearing slips and reforming roadside drainage around the district’s roading network: Whanganui River Road (6 crews); Parihauhau Road (2 crews); Mangamahu Road (2 crews); Rangitatau East Road (3 crews); Kauarapaoa Road (2 crews); Matarawa Valley Road (2 crews).

Road closures:

  • Whanganui River Road – north of Jerusalem
  • Whangaehu Valley Road – closed to heavy trailer thoroughfare at Aranui Station. Access for truck and trailer units from either Mangamahu or Fields Track.
  • Burrell Road – closed to heavy traffic

2WD but caution needed due to slippery surface:

  • Kauarapaoa Road
  • Kaiwhaiki Road last 1km
  • Whanganui River Road – from start to Jerusalem
  • Matahiwi Track
  • Bruce Road
  • Creek Road
  • Ahu Ahu Valley Road
  • Watershed Road

All other roads in the district are open and available to 2WD, cars etc. Truck and trailer contractors who need to use rural roads are advised to phone the Wanganui Alliance for an update. All rural roads remain slippery with any significant rain.

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