The Waikare Gorge project includes a 4k realignment and a new 160m bridge across the Waikare Gorge on SH2 at Putorino (north of Napier). The project is part of a series of roading improvements on the East Coast to increase safety, resilience, and access for communities in the north of the region.
The Waikare Gorge safety realignment project has been identified as an important project on State Highway 2 (SH2) to make it safer and less likely to suffer closures. It also is seeking to become more accessible, by making travel times through the route more consistent for drivers and less likely to suffer from delays. This project is part of a package of projects in the Tairāwhiti region that have been identified for enabling economic growth in the region.
The 2018 Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS 2018) supports the economic development of regional New Zealand by increasing the focus on developing safe and resilient transport connections to support freight and tourism.
Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS)(external link)
The ability to fully-realise the region’s economic potential is dependent on an efficient and reliable roading network to major ports and markets.
The roading network in Tairāwhiti has a range of challenging natural environments which have been subjected to repeated serious weather events. To support economic development of the region, Tairāwhiti will need to go further than simply addressing the need for renewal and repair – it also needs to invest in improvements to its existing network that will support its economic action plan.
The Tairāwhiti Programme Business Case (PBC), approved in September 2017, was funded through Regional Economic Development funds in response to the Tairāwhiti Economic Action plan. The geographical scope of this PBC included the journey on SH2 between Napier and Ōpōtiki. The Waikare Gorge was identified as a key pinch point on that journey. It was seen by stakeholders as a project that could deliver a significant contribution to the programme outcomes.
The problems that are identified in the PBC are:
The Waikare Gorge project is currently in the ‘specimen design and consenting’ phase. Lodgement of regional resource consent is scheduled for January 2023. Once the consenting and detailed design is complete, the project will be put forward for construction funding.
Construction funding can only be sought when the detailed design is 80% complete. Construction is currently estimated to take approximately three years, following approval of construction funding. The project is included in the Tairāwhiti Roading Package.
The map below shows the potential route the new state highway will go through.
During the initial engagement with stakeholders and the community the description of two alignments was mapped out ('Orange' and 'White'). Since then, our teams have gathered data using drone footage and created animations to help continue their analysis. The 'White' realignment has now been identified as the preferred alignment option.
'White' alignment
The white alignment remains the same as it was when consulted on. It is 3.9km and sits west of the existing 6km section of State Highway 2. More detail can be found here:
Media release: Preferred Waikare Gorge route could have one of NZ’s highest bridges (6 August 2021)
CloseThe design phase involves the development of a Specimen design to allow for resource consent submission. In this case, detailed design includes designing the geometric alignment of the new section of state highway. It involves set-up, planning, investigation, design and review, and helps ensure the project has been well-scoped and can be delivered on time, to budget and to a high standard.
CloseSpecimen design and resource consent application is expected to be complete mid next-year (June 2023). Specimen design involves a review of geotechnical investigation data for the site, the development of civil and structural plans, and resource consent application.
CloseAn arch bridge has been confirmed as the preferred bridge solution. This design will minimise damage to the gorge face. At just over 160m long and more than 60m tall, it could be one of New Zealand’s highest road bridges once built.
The project team has previously undertaken extensive engagement with landowners, mana whenua, the heavy haulage and freight industries, the local community, district/regional councils and other key stakeholders. The project continues to be developed alongside our partners.
CloseApproximately $1m for the business case and $5m for the Pre-Implementation phase (pre-implementation includes development of the specimen design and development of the resource consent application).
CloseYes, Waka Kotahi will revise the business case to reflect the detailed design and submit for funding consideration. At this stage, we cannot give a timeframe on when funding may become available.
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