The highway was blocked between Rangipo and Waiouru after the 2017 crash.

Delays and closures are expected along part of Desert Rd until April.

There will be two full closures and the road will be down to one lane while the deck is replaced on the Waihohonu Stream Bridge after it was damaged by a truck in July 2017.

The repair work is expected to start on Thursday, January 25.

NZTA The Waihohonu Stream Bridge on Desert Rd will undergo maintenance work after it was damaged by a truck in July 2017.

New Zealand Transport Agency said the bridge will be down to one lane with short closures of around five minutes, with a 30kmh speed in place.

READ MORE: Desert Road closed after truck and trailer rolls

The full closures will take place on February 26 and March 14, weather-permitting. Each closure is expected to be from 7am for around 36 hours.

They're required to pour the concrete deck, NZTA Waikato transport system manager Karen Boyt said in a statement.

"One side will be poured during one closure and the other will be for poured during the second closure."

The alternative route is via state highways 46, 47, 4 and 49.

However, NZTA said those routes are not suitable for vehicles over 44 tonnes, apart from 50MAX which is permitted.

High productivity motor vehicles can use the SH3 and SH3A route between Hamilton and Bulls.

Vehicles with overweight loads or over-dimension loads wider than three metres will not be able to use the Desert Rd section of SH1 for the next few months as it will not be possible to cross the Waihohonu Bridge.

There will also be multiple maintenance work sites on the Desert Rd during this period and there are delays possible at other sites.

Boyt said the maintenance work was important and needs to be completed.

She said people need to check the Desert Rd road status before they travel.

"People can expect to experience some delays and should use our website or call us on 0800 4 HIGHWAYS before setting off on their journey," she said.

"We understand the inconvenience this closure and the maintenance work may cause and we'd like to apologise in advance for any disruptions."

The NZTA website, www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic provides up-to-date information on weather and road conditions nationwide. There is also the NZTA official Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Drivers can also call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) who can provide them with traffic and travel information either before they're travelling or when they're on the road.

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