The Daily Examiner.

State Highway 1 (SH1) between Tūrangi and Waiouru, including the Desert Road, has officially reopened after an intensive eight-week closure for major repairs and upgrades.

During this period, roadworkers achieved remarkable progress, rebuilding and repairing 28 lane kilometres of SH1—12 more than initially planned—and completely reconstructing the deck of the Mangatoetoenui Bridge, located 23 kilometres south of Rangipō. This impressive feat involved laying an average of 500 tonnes of asphalt daily over the past week.

The reopening has been met with widespread relief and appreciation from transport and logistics operators.

According to Transporting New Zealand, the closure had forced approximately 800 trucks per day to take a detour, significantly increasing costs and travel times. The reopening not only alleviates these challenges but also enhances supply chain resilience and productivity. Freight operators have expressed gratitude for the timely completion of the project, noting the positive impact on their operations.

Local communities along the detour route have also shared their perspectives.

While the increased traffic brought some challenges, it also provided a welcome economic boost to businesses in towns like Ohakune, National Park, and Taumarunui.

Many community members have praised the roadworkers’ dedication and the decision to close the road entirely for faster and safer completion of the work.

Although the Desert Road is now open, some sections remain under traffic management with temporary speed limits to allow the new surface to settle.

Drivers are urged to adhere to these limits to prevent damage to their vehicles and the road.

This project is part of the accelerated maintenance programme on SH1 from Tīrau to Waiouru, aimed at significantly improving road quality and safety.

The reopening marks a significant milestone in New Zealand’s infrastructure development, showcasing the collaborative efforts of roadworkers, transport operators, and local communities.