Summer roading programme 2026-2027
Work is underway on Whanganui’s summer roading programme, with around 27km of roads across more than 50 streets/roads proposed for renewal or upgrade.
It’s a big programme that will be completed from October 2026 to March 2027, but the goal is simple: to help keep local roads safer, smoother and more resilient for everyone who uses them.
Some of this work is planned overnight, to minimise disruption for road users and allow work to be done more efficiently in terms of cost and time while roads are closed. Please note, this work is weather dependent and the programme may also change because of site conditions or construction requirements.
Thank you for your patience while this important work is underway.
At a glance
- Major resealing works started in October 2026, with preparation work also happening across the network.
- The programme includes chipseal and asphalt resurfacing, road strengthening/rehabilitation and localised repairs.
- The programme is 62% subsidised by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, with the remainder funded through the council’s roading budget.
- Residents and businesses affected by confirmed works will receive direct notifications where needed.
- More detailed updates will be shared as works are confirmed.
What do I need to do as a resident?
If work is planned near your home, school or business, there are a few simple things you can do to help everything run smoothly.
- Check any letter or notification you receive.
- Plan ahead for deliveries, visitors or customer access if your property or business may be affected.
- Follow temporary speed limits, signs and directions from traffic management crews.
- Keep children and pets away from active work areas.
- Check the latest updates before work starts in your area.
Why this work matters and how roads are chosen for the programme
Regular road maintenance helps protect the road surface, improve grip, fix issues before they become more serious, and extend the life of the road network.
Roads are chosen using condition data, safety needs, how each route is used, and the funding available. Council and contractor teams look at inspections and network data to prioritise work where it is needed most, while also planning treatment for the warmer, drier months so chipseal and asphalt can bond properly.
Some roads may be scheduled for future years if they are lower risk or funding needs to be balanced across the wider network.
Traffic, access and safety
The safety of contractors, road users, residents and businesses is the top priority while work is underway. Depending on the type of work, you may see temporary road closures, lane closures, detours, temporary speed limits or changes to property access.
Where roads need to be closed, detours will be clearly signposted. Access for residents and businesses will be maintained whenever it is safe and practical to do so.
Keeping children and pets safe
Roadworks can be noisy and unfamiliar, with machinery, open work areas and temporary traffic changes. Please take extra care around work sites and ensure children are kept away those areas. It's also advised to ensure your pets can't access areas where roadworks are underway.
What work is planned?
Different roads need different treatments, depending on their condition and how they are use
Roadwork terminology can sound technical, so here’s a simple guide to what the different treatments mean.
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Treatment
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What it means
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Think of it as…
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Reseal
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A new waterproof surface and stone chips are applied to an existing road.
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Painting and weatherproofing a timber fence before it starts to rot.
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AC – Asphaltic Concrete
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A new layer of asphalt is applied over the existing road.
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Putting new carpet over a good floor.
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SAC – Structural Asphaltic Concrete
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A thicker asphalt treatment that improves both the surface and pavement strength.
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Replacing thin carpet with a strong wooden floor.
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Dig-out
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A damaged section is removed and replaced with new pavement material.
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Fixing one damaged part instead of rebuilding the whole thing.
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Cement stabilisation
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Cement is mixed into existing pavement material to strengthen it.
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Strengthening the foundation while reusing what is already there.
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Rehabilitation (rehab)
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Most or all of the road structure is rebuilt.
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Rebuilding the floor and foundation, rather than just replacing the carpet.
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Chipseal surfacing
Chipseal reseals add a new waterproof surface and stone chips to help protect roads that are still in good structural condition.
Asphalt surfacing
Asphalt provides a smooth, durable surface and is used where this treatment is the best fit. Some sites will have around 40mm of existing asphalt milled out and replaced with new asphalt.
Pavement strengthening and rehabilitation
Where parts of a road have more significant pavement issues, the underlying material may need to be strengthened, removed or replaced before the final surface is applied.
Reconstruction and rehabilitation sites
- St Hill Street
- Hereford Street
- Rapanui Road
- Duncan Street roundabout – structural asphaltic concrete
- Parsons Street/Grey Street roundabout – structural asphaltic concrete
Asphalt surfacing – day-work
- Totara Street/Puriri Street intersection
- Alma Road/Puriri Street intersection
- Duncan Street roundabout
- Beach St/Lemington intersection
Asphalt surfacing – night-work
- Victoria Avenue/Ingestre Street intersection
- Heads Road/Gilberd Street both intersection
- Glasgow Street
- Beach St/Heads Road intersection
- Cross Street/Heads Road intersection
Microsurfacing
Microsurfacing is a thin, durable surface treatment applied to existing sealed roads. It helps protect the road from wear and weather, extending its life and reducing the need for costly full reconstruction.
What to expect during chipseal work
Chipseal can look and feel different from a finished asphalt surface, especially while the new surface is settling in.
After bitumen and stone chips are applied, some loose chip may remain on the road while the surface bonds and beds in.
During this settling-in period, please take extra care:
- Temporary speed limits may be in place.
- Please slow down and follow the signs.
- Take care when turning or braking.
Slower speeds help protect the new surface and keep everyone safe.
Loose chip will be managed as work progresses, including sweeping where needed and reinstatement of road markings.
What to expect during asphalt work
Asphalt work may involve large machinery, noise, vibration, dust, road closures or temporary access changes. Fresh asphalt needs time to cool and settle, so please wait until the crew or traffic management team has reopened the road before using it.
Chipseal programme
The following is the list of chipseal reseal sites for the summer programme. Residents will be advised before work begins in their area.
- Ballance Street
- Borlase Place
- Collier Place
- Cross Street
- Cornfoot Street
- Cumbrae Place
- Dorset Road
- Durie Vale Road
- Fromont Street
- Glasgow Street
- Gonville Avenue
- Heads Road
- Jones Street
- Karaka Street
- Kelvin Street
- Kitchener Street
- London Street
- Matarawa Valley Road
- Maxwell Station Road
- Mosston Road
- No 2 Line
- No 3 Line
- Okoia Road
- O’Neills Road
- Parihauhau Road
- Pauri Road
- Peat Street
- Perham Place
- Rangitatau West Road
- Raupo Street
- Smithfield Road
- Somme Parade
- Springvale Road
- St Hill Street
- Tokomaru West Road
- Tongariro Street
- Totara Street
- Tower Service Lane
- Wairere Road
- Western Line
Why can’t all the roads be done at once?
The summer programme, delivered by the Whanganui Alliance, is part of a wider cycle of road maintenance across Whanganui. Preparation work is completed ahead of final surfacing so roads are ready when conditions are suitable. The programme needs to balance road condition, network needs, treatment timing, available funding and safe delivery.
Stay up to date
Confirmed works, closures and access changes will be shared through: