Upcoming road improvements on SH4 between Whanganui and Raetihi

Published on 04 January 2023

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency media release

There will be a hive of activity in the heart of State Highway 4 between Whanganui and Raetihi in the New Year, with a range of road works planned to get underway in January 2023.

On Tuesday 10 January, a full rebuild and sealing of a nearly 300m section of SH4 south of Kakatahi near Macintoshs Road will get underway. Stop/go traffic management will be in place at this location between 6am and 6pm Monday to Friday for three weeks. Road users are advised that there will be delays of up to 10 minutes during this time at this site.

From 16 January, weather dependent, resealing at multiple sites along the road will get underway and is expected to take four days.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Maintenance & Operations Manager Rob Service says work will also resume in January to progress slip repairs on the road.

“We’ll begin ground investigations on 10 January at the site north of Hawken Road where the road is down to one lane due to a recent washout. This testing will help us to complete a design for a permanent solution there.

“At the end of January, construction of a retaining wall will begin at the site of the under slip near Burrell Road. Local company Loaders Whanganui will carry out this work and it is expected to be complete by the end of May.”

Further north, work continues on the Auraki Stream road retreat project, which is due for completion in June 2023.

“SH4 is a major trade corridor as well as a scenic tourist route and we are working hard keep the road safe and resilient,” says Mr Service.

“Motorists are asked to be patient and abide by the traffic management in place. The road work crews would also appreciate a friendly wave.”

Image: Ground investigations are planned in January at this site north of Hawken Road where the road is reduced to a single lane due to a recent washout