Announcements

SH59 Update 3 September

/ / Announcements, Road safety, Transport

Waka Kotahi has provided a further update. It is anticipated State Highway 59 will re-open Monday 12 September if work goes smoothly.

SLIP CONTROL, PUKERUA BAY HILLSIDE SAFETY PROJECT: UPDATE 2 September 2022

Since Friday 26 August,excavators have cleared the unstable overhang above the slip face and relocated the spoil using multiple trucks. Excavators are working at the top and bottom of the hillside to remove vegetation and soil to create a slope that will be stable long-term, rather than do a quick temporary clean-up. Benches (steps) are being formed along the hill to capture debris, like the benches seen on the Ngauranga Gorge hillside. Approximately 15,000 cubic metres will need be removed – that’s over 2300 truckloads of earth – with 7000 cubic metres already having been removed as at Thursday afternoon 1st September.

Multiple crews are working 10 hours a day, seven days a week to complete the safety project in as short a time as possible to minimise the impact on people’s journeys. To minimise customer impact from our maintenance activity for the next year, the closure between Pukerua Bay and Paekākāriki has been used by many crews to undertake scheduled maintenance work, such as road and barrier repairs, high risk tree removal and pruning along with drain clearing.

Work has also started on making the Pukerua Bay lookout at the top of the hill safe, where two slips have undermined footpaths.

When can the road reopen to the public?

It is hoped that the road could reopen on Monday 12 September 2022, if all goes smoothly. The safety project team continue to assess the site daily to seek potential opportunities to allow limited public access past the site. Meanwhile the road remains closed to all users.

Occasional planned and carefully coordinated escorts for any train replacement buses is occurring when needed, to maintain this vital link for people. Limited access has also been maintained between Pukerua Bay and Paekākāriki for cyclists and pedestrians who are able to use Pukerua Beach to access the path at the bottom of the hill. However, they need to exercise caution for the uneven surface and high tides.

Thanks for your patience and understanding while this essential work is carried out.

Please contact: customer@wta.nzta.govt.nz with your queries.

After slip Clearance
Reshaping in progress

SH59 Update 3 September Read More »

SH59 Remediation Update

/ / Announcements, Road safety, Transport

The next update on the re-opening of SH59 between Paekākāriki and Pukerua Bay will be provided on Friday 2 September. From Wellington NZTA:

The hillside continues to be assessed daily to ensure safe access to cyclists, vehicles and pedestrians can be restored. Residents can continue to access Pukerua Bay from the south and Paekākāriki resident access is from the north. All other road users to continue using SH1 as an alternate route.

We know these works are inconvenient and thank the community for their patience!

Follow them on Facebook or on Twitter:

SH59 Remediation Update Read More »

SH59 Pukerua Bay Hillside Stabilisation

/ / Announcements, Road safety, Shared Pathways & Cycleways, Transport

Waka Kotahi has provided an update on the measures being taken to lessen the threat of further slips. This work is going to several weeks. The opening of Transmission Gully provides an opportunity to undertake remedial work that would be a far more difficult undertaking were the route still State Highway 1.

SLIP CONTROL, PUKERUA BAY HILLSIDE SAFETY PROJECT: UPDATE 26 August 2022

A hillside safety project is underway to help prevent further slips on the State Highway 59 coast road leading up to Pukerua Bay. Wellington Transport Alliance crews are removing a large overhang of soil and trees above the slip face to prevent further slips. A deep fracture in the ground behind the overhang at the top of the hill means this area is very unstable and could break away at any time.

Hillside slip control

The road between Fisherman’s Table and the northern end of Pukerua Bay has become a worksite and must remain closed for everyone’s safety, not just because of the risk of a slip but because of the machines operating in the area. The safety project could take some weeks, depending on conditions. The hillside diagram, shown over the page, illustrates the overhang and the fractured ground and highlights the work that is planned to reshape the hill and prevent further slips.

Multiple works, including road and barrier repairs, tree pruning and other maintenance, are taking place to make the most of the closure.

The hillside is being inspected daily to assess when pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles can be allowed back in the area. Meanwhile, pedestrians and cyclists can use the Pukerua Bay off-road beach walking track to bypass the works but must exercise caution for high tides and weather conditions. The soft beach sand and the slope leading up to the layby at the bottom of the hill make for difficult going, particularly for cyclists. A fenced-off path has been created around the layby to keep path users safe from moving machinery. The path beside the seawall north of the layby can be used and we ask people to stay on the path and not to walk or cycle on the road as work trucks and machinery are using the area.

Please contact: customer@wta.nzta.govt.nz with your queries.

SH59 Pukerua Bay Hillside Stabilisation Read More »

SH59 Cyclists and pedestrians access to Paekakariki

/ / Announcements, Road safety, Shared Pathways & Cycleways

Waka Kotahi has advised the following

Since the slip on Friday 19 August, the coast road between Fisherman’s Table and Pukerua Bay has been closed for the clean-up and to protect road users if there are further slips. It will be closed for a few more weeks for hillside safety works to reduce the risk further.

The road has become a worksite with barriers to keep people out for their safety.

  • Please do not enter the slip control works area on the hill.
  • People using the off-road beach walking track to bypass the works can use the path beside the seawall to head north once they leave the layby at the bottom of the hill.
  • Please do not walk or cycle on the road north of the layby as work trucks are using the area and road repairs are also being done. Stick to the path.
  • A path has been created from the beach walking track around the layby at the bottom of the hill with a barrier to keep you safe from moving machinery.
  • Access via the beach walking track depends on the weather and high tides. Please exercise caution.
  • We will continually monitor the situation to see when it will safe for pedestrians and road users to return to the road past the slip area.

Please contact: customer@wta.nzta.govt.nz with your queries.

SH59 Cyclists and pedestrians access to Paekakariki Read More »

Train replacement buses disrupted by SH59 closure

/ / Announcements, Transport

The latest from Metlink:

Kapiti Line: Bus replacement services are now shuttling between Waikanae and Porirua and Pukerua Bay and Porirua until further notice due to slips

Last updated: 8:50am Saturday 20 August

Due to further slips on SH59, Kapiti Line bus replacement services will now shuttle from Waikanae to Porirua as buses and then shuttle from Porirua to Pukerua Bay via a shuttle bus. Limited capacity is available, please expect delays and arrange alternate transport where possible.

Service change due to weather or natural disaster

Train replacement buses disrupted by SH59 closure Read More »

Saturday 20 Aug – State Highway 59 to remain CLOSED

/ / Announcements, Erosion, Road safety

UPDATE FROM NZTA.

FYI – State Highway 59 remains CLOSED due to slips

State Highway 59 between Paekākāriki and Pukerua Bay remains closed today, with large slips still to be cleared by roading crews.

The highway was closed yesterday and overnight after slips yesterday. This morning, further slips have come down along this section of road.

Contractors are working hard to restore the road. However, continuing rain means the chance of further slips remains.

This section of State Highway 59 will remain closed today, Saturday 20 August, and a further update on its status will be provided tomorrow morning, Sunday 21 August, or as soon as the road opens.

Pukerua Bay residents can access from the south. Paekākāriki resident access is to the north. All other road users should avoid the area and use State Highway 1, Transmission Gully, as an alternative route.

Bad weather continues to affect Wellington, with numerous slips, rockfalls, and fallen trees on roads across the region. Road users should check roads are open before they travel, drive to the conditions, watch their following distances, and be prepared for delays.

Saturday 20 Aug – State Highway 59 to remain CLOSED Read More »

SH 59 Closed to Paekakariki

/ / Announcements, Road safety

From NZTA

FYI – State Highway 59 to remain CLOSED overnight

State Highway 59 between Paekākāriki and Pukerua Bay will remain closed following a further slip on the route this afternoon.

The highway was closed by a slip this morning. However, a second slip came down this afternoon, further blocking the road.

At this stage, the slope is too unstable for the route to reopen, and it will stay closed overnight. An update on its status will be provided by midday tomorrow, Saturday 20 August.

Road users should avoid the area and use State Highway 1, Transmission Gully, as an alternative route.

Bad weather continues to affect Wellington. Slips, rockfalls, and fallen trees are dangers on roads across the region. Road users should drive to the conditions, watch their following distances, and keep an eye out for road hazards.

SH 59 Closed to Paekakariki Read More »

State Highway 59 closed to Paekākāriki

/ / Announcements, Road safety

State Highway 59 is closed between Pukerua Bay and Paekākāriki due to a slip at Arlie Road. Crews are also on-site dealing with fallen trees at Motuhara Road in Plimmerton and around Grays Road. High tide is at 2pm, and there is more rain forecast, Porirua City Council advises drivers to please take extra care and report any issues via the Antenno app (Android, Apple), or phone 04 237 5089.

State Highway 59 closed to Paekākāriki Read More »

SH59 – Pukerua Bay barrier repair tonight, Tuesday 9 Aug

/ / Announcements, Road safety

Waka Kotahi has advised there will be work tonight to repair the crash barrier at the corner of State Highway 59 and Pukerua Beach Road (map). The work is being done at night when there are fewer vehicles so it can complete the job quickly, efficiently and safely without causing major traffic delays.

map for corner of SH59 and Pukerua Beach Road
Work area, corner State Highway 59 and Pukerua Beach Road (map)

SH59 – Pukerua Bay barrier repair tonight, Tuesday 9 Aug Read More »

Road works SH59 Pukerua Bay to Paekakariki

/ / Announcements

Waka Kotahi have advised the following:

Good afternoon,
Due to the weather the daytime stop/go for road repairs on Coast Road, between Pukerua Bay and Paekākāriki has been moved to Thursday 28 July and Friday 29 July.
We are keeping an eye on the weather and will let you know if these dates change.
Ngā mihi,

Anita De Klerk, Customer Communications and Engagement Advisor
Wellington Transport Alliance

Road works SH59 Pukerua Bay to Paekakariki Read More »