Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has announced additional night closures on State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill to implement safety enhancements following a recent independent audit. The audit, conducted in response to feedback from road users, identified areas for improvement in the slow vehicle bays introduced earlier this year.

Mark Owen, NZTA Regional Manager, acknowledged the concerns raised by regular users and emphasized the agency’s commitment to addressing them. “We’ve listened to feedback and are determined to make the Remutaka Hill safer and easier to navigate,” he stated.

Key changes include:

• Renaming the slow vehicle bays to slow vehicle lanes to better reflect their intended use.
• Installing additional signage to direct slow drivers to keep left and clearly indicate the length of the lanes.
• Improving lane entry and exit points with new road markings for better visual guidance.

State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill, planned night closures 2024

These modifications aim to improve traffic flow and safety by encouraging slower vehicles to utilize the full length of the lane, allowing others to pass safely.

Mr. Owen apologized for any inconvenience caused by the earlier changes and the additional week of night closures required to complete the work. He urged drivers to exercise patience and cooperate with road crews during this period.

NZTA is also developing educational initiatives to ensure drivers understand how to use the slow vehicle lanes correctly. This will complement the physical changes and further enhance road safety on Remutaka Hill.

Additional maintenance work, including barrier upgrades, will be carried out during the extended closure period.

Key Information for Road Users:

• Escorted crossings for light vehicles are available during night closures but must be booked in advance online or via the Waka Kotahi website.
• Bookings are essential and must be made by 4 pm on Friday for Sunday night closures and 4 pm on the closure day for weeknights.
• Heavy vehicles cannot be accommodated during escorted crossings.
• Full access is always available for emergency services.

NZTA encourages all drivers to prioritize safety and courtesy when using the slow vehicle lanes, considering factors such as vehicle size, speed, and traffic volume.