Cape Reinga Seal Extension from Waitiki Landing to Cape Reinga

click to enlarge

The northernmost section of New Zealand’s longest highway, State Highway One (SH1), is finally sealed, with United Civil Construction having undertaken a $21.5 million road upgrade project for the New Zealand Transport Agency.

With the seal extension works complete, what was a bumpy, dusty and slow ride over the last 20km section of this highway, is now a thing of the past for the 120,000 tourists who visit Cape Reinga each year.

Previously designated SH1F, (according to some of the locals the “F” was an abbreviation for forgotten), the northernmost section of New Zealand’s longest highway provides the only road access to the iconic Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua), a site of major cultural significance, high ecological and environmental value, and a nationally important tourist destination.

Now complete, the bumpy, dusty and slow ride over the last 20km section of this highway, is now a thing of the past for the 120,000 tourists who visit Cape Reinga each year.

United Civil undertook substantial earthworks with a view to improving the alignment and geometry of the existing carriageway, along with drainage, pavement, surfacing, environmental protection and various landscaping works.
The new all weather carriageway has a design life of 25 years and has been constructed using aggregates sourced from local quarries. click to enlarge

In addition to the seal extension of the road, United Civil has completed the civil works associated with the $6 million upgrade of visitor facilities at Cape Reinga for the Department of Conservation. Works undertaken by our company include the construction of two new car parking areas, the formation of a new access track, the resurfacing of the existing track to the lighthouse, the healing of damaged areas of landform by reshaping and replanting (by others), the construction of water supply and sewerage systems, the removal of existing facilities, civil works associated with the construction of a new toilet block and erosion protection works.

Key features of this project include:

  • The logistical challenges associated with the remote location of the site.
  • The extensive use of local labour and the implementation of training programmes by United Civil in support of these employees.
  • The use of pre-mixed lime stabilised basecourse as an alternative pavement material and one that provides significant environmental and engineering benefits.
  • Given that the project is in an area that is home to many rare and endangered plants and animals, the works are subject to constant design modifications in order to minimise the extent of disturbance on the surrounding environs.


    • The project was completed at the end of April 2010, 8 months ahead of schedule

    Already the recipient of a Roading New Zealand award and the 2011 IPENZ Arthur Mead Environmental Award, this high profile project is attracting notice throughout New Zealand and abroad.

    Further information can be found on the New Zealand Transport Agency website and various other links below:

    www.3news.co.nz - Last Few Metres.
    www.nzta.govt.nz - Cape Reinga
    www.nzta.govt.nz - Waitiki Landing to Cape Reinga
    www.nzta.govt.nz - Media release
    www.contrafedpublishing.co.nz - Media release
    www.contrafedpublishing.co.nz - Media release
    www.nzta.govt.nz - Media release


    Click on photo to enlarge image.


    Civil ConstructionRoad ConstructionDrainage Construction
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