Six-day road closure planned for Mangawhai

11 April, 2022

Road users are encouraged to plan ahead in preparation for an upcoming six-day full road closure between Mangawhai Village and Mangawhai Heads.

A 500m section of Molesworth Drive will be closed to all road users apart from emergency services from Tuesday April 26 to Sunday May 01 inclusive. This will allow a major road upgrade and realignment connecting to the new Mangawhai Central subdivision.

The closure will involve night works by roading contractor MDL Civil so the project can be quickly completed and disruption to road users minimised.

During this time a detour will be in place via Mangawhai Heads, Cove, Tara and Moir Roads to enable access between Mangawhai Village and Mangawhai Heads.

MDL Civil’s chief operating officer, Amy Osborne, says the detour will add 10-15 minutes to the journey between the two centres, but the road is sealed all the way and traffic management will be in place at the two one-way bridges en route.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and encourage people to plan ahead if they will be using the route for time-sensitive travel such as attending appointments or meetings.

The road closure project is the second and most complex of three road upgrade stages relating to the Mangawhai Central development, but the only stage that requires a road closure on Molesworth Drive. The full Molesworth Drive upgrade will be completed during the second half of this year.

Ms Osborne says there will be no further closures on main roads. However, it is possible there may be future road closures within the subdivision, but they will have minimal effect on locals.

The Molesworth Drive closure works will significantly improve that part of the existing road and reduce flooding risks by improving traffic flow and safety, especially into and out of the roundabout. It also involves resurfacing and levelling that stretch of Molesworth Drive and enabling future works to widen and seal the existing foot/cycle path.

“It is a significant project, and we have consulted with community leaders to ensure we do everything possible to minimise disruption to the local community and the road’s users during this time. That’s why we are doing this part of the project outside of the busy school term, and the Easter and Anzac holiday periods.”

The Molesworth Drive resurfacing and levelling will significantly improve that part of the existing road and reduce flooding risks by improving traffic flow and safety, especially into and out of the roundabout. GRAPHIC/SUPPLIED

During the Molesworth Drive part-closure, a detour will be in place via Mangawhai Heads, Cove, Tara and Moir Roads to enable access between Mangawhai Village and Mangawhai Heads. GRAPHIC/GOOGLE/SUPPLIED