From 5am January 13th 2025 SH1 the Desert Road will be closed from Turangi to Waiouru for maintenance until March 13th 2025 at midday.
From the NZTA website:
Due to project maintenance works, this section of road will be closed in both directions 24/7 from 5am on Monday 13th January for approximately two months. Plan your journey accordingly allowing extra time to travel along the detour route during this time.
Detour route: During closures, northbound traffic, turn left onto SH49, then right onto SH4. Turn right onto SH47 then right on SH41 and back onto SH1. Reverse for southbound.
Please note these detours will add approximately 40 minutes to your journey time.
Start 13 Jan 2025 5:00am
End 13 Mar 2025 12:00pm
Expected resolution 13 Mar 2025 12:00pm
You can also read the press release from NZTA which gives a lot more details about the work being performed: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/media-releases/desert-road-closure-now-from-mid-january/
