James Smith: National Road Carriers Policy & Advocacy Manager on Desert Road closing for two months

Freight carriers agree upcoming State Highway 1 repairs are necessary.  The Desert Road in the Central North Island is shutting to traffic between Tūrangi and Waiouru from January 6 until the end of February.  NZTA says the detour will add half an hour and an extra 50km to people’s journey.  National Road Carriers Policy & Advocacy manager, James Smith, says the entire network has maintenance that needs to happen.  He says they've known about it since August, and the road will end up with a much better finish.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.