A key section of State Highway 1 between Tūrangi and Waiouru on the Desert Road will close from January 6 to the end of February for major repairs, NZTA has announced.
The summer shutdown is necessary due to the warmer temperatures required for effective bonding of materials.
Repairs will include rebuilding 16 kilometres of road and replacing the Mangatoetoenui Bridge deck, aiming to eliminate the risk of potholes for years.
Motorists will face detours around Tongariro National Park via SH47, SH4, and SH49, adding approximately 40 minutes to travel times.
The closure is part of “an accelerated” 16-month maintenance project, which NZTA describes as one of New Zealand’s “largest and most ambitious” roading upgrades.
