People pulling into Otauira Reserve will notice a fresh, smooth surface.

The reserve will reopen to the public from 12pm on Tuesday 23 December, after it was closed to the public at the end of October while the terrible condition of the roadway was sorted out by Greytown-based firm, Pope and Gray Contractors Ltd. As you can see in the before and after images, they’ve done a stellar job.

The resurfacing was necessary due to the poor condition of the road, which developed significant potholes caused by unstable terrain, as this area was previously used as a landfill site.

To protect the integrity of the new roadway, heavy vehicles over 10 tonne will no longer be permitted on the reserve.

For those unfamiliar with Otauira Reserve, it is accessed off the SH2 Remutaka Hill Road just before you get into Featherston.