Road users will see increased activity on State Highway 2 south of Waihī from next week as Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency kicks off its annual road maintenance programme for the area.

Weather permitting, from Monday road rehabilitation works will be undertaken in the first section of the Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety improvements project, which was completed late last year," says Bay of Plenty System Manager Rob Campbell.

'The Waihī to Ōmokoroa project is focussed on safety improvements such as road widening, installing safety barriers and making intersections safer. Our maintenance teams then come through to do rehabilitation works to improve the road surface.

'We will be carrying out complete reconstruction of the road surface which means the site will have one lane closed during the works with a temporary speed limit of 30km/h while contractors are on site.

'This work will also address any pothole issues that have formed over time. '

Works will occur between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday and traffic management will operate 24 hours a day to ensure safe speeds are managed through the worksite.

While Waka Kotahi tries to align safety improvements with road maintenance, this is not always possible. Warmer spring and summer months are the best time for resurfacing works as daylight hours are longer and the warmer temperatures and dry air help the new seal stick to the road surface.

'SH2 is a busy commuter, agribusiness, horticulture, freight and tourism route and Waka Kotahi is committed to ensuring the state highways remain safe and resilient.

'While we try to keep inconveniences and delays to a minimum, we urge people to plan their journeys and allow for some delays from road works. We want to keep everyone safe when driving through road work sites, and that includes our road workers.

'Remember to slow down, obey any temporary speed limits, leave space and be patient.”

Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety improvements project

The Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety improvements commenced in 2018 with works expected to be completed in 2024.

The following sections are currently in progress, or starting soon:

• Section 2/3 - Trig Road to Mathers Road / Mathers Road to Athenree Gorge (mid-2019 to mid-2021)
• Section 6 - Kauri Point Road to Lindemann Road (late 2020 to late 2021)
• Section 7 - Wharawhara Road to Sharp Road (mid-2019 to late 2020)
• Section 8 – Thompsons Track Road to Sargent Road (commencing late 2020/early 2021)
• Section 10 - Wainui South Road to Esdaile Road (late 2020 to late 2021)

For further information on the Waihī to Ōmokoroa safety improvements project, or to sign up to newsletter updates, please visit: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh2-waihi-to-tauranga-corridor/sh2-waihi-to-omokoroa/

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

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• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)