Along with other regions across the country, the Waikato and Bay of Plenty areas are facing a period of recovery and recuperation following Cyclone Gabrielle.

With the Coromandel area hammered by the fifth weather event to hit the peninsula this summer, contractors are busy restoring more access around the coastal route as quickly as possible. However, with soil saturated there is a continuing risk of further slips occurring throughout the region.

The eastern end of the Bay of Plenty region has also suffered extensive damage. Access has been reinstated to beyond Hicks Bay on State Highway 35, however full access is not available on either route between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne.

Contractors have worked around the clock to clear up the damage and reinstate access, says Cara Lauder, Waikato System Manager at Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport System.

'While we were well-prepared for this event, and had resources in place to respond quickly, the sheer scale of the damage has meant that we are unable to clear everything quickly," says Cara.

'Contractors have had to prioritise response based on access to location and requirements for lifeline services and supply chain logistics. Some locations can quickly run out of food and other important supplies and services if we don't reinstate access.”

At the same time road renewals will continue, after understandably pausing while the rain and wind bullied the region.

'The continual bad weather has been super disruptive,” says Cara. 'Our crews are doing their best to work around this, and we have a number of sites kicking off next week. Some works, such as chipsealing, may need to wait a few days as the road needs to dry out before we can seal it. Any moisture trapped in between surface layers is a future problem that will come back to haunt us.

'We acknowledge that many communities have been through a lot recently – our contractors are part of their communities, and we ask that you respect and support them during this time.”

Check the Journey Planner (www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz) for the latest road conditions across the state highway network.

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

• Takitimu North Link Stage One: A range of construction activities will continue between Te Puna, Bethlehem and Tauriko including Cambridge Road, Harrison Road, Wairoa Road, Minden Road, Loop Road and State Highway 2, there are a number of shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. The new Harrison Road alignment will open with new seal and line marking scheduled in the coming weeks, when there is consistent fine weather. People may notice an increase in truck movements along Moffat Road over the summer months as earthworks ramp up in the Tauriko/Bethlehem area. More information.
• SH2 Bay Link: The location of the single northbound lane on SH2/Tauranga Eastern Link underneath SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange will change next week to allow for the next stage of works in the area. From Sunday 19 February to Thursday 23 February (7pm to 6am, nights only), SH2 northbound will be closed between Sandhurst and Te Maunga interchanges. A signposted detour will be available via Mangatawa Link Road, Truman Lane, SH29A roundabout and Te Maunga interchange onramp. This work is weather dependent. Following the switch, a single lane only will continue to be available for people travelling on SH2 from Pāpāmoa to Bayfair during the next stage of construction.

In parallel, asphalt work will be underway on SH29A near the roundabout from Monday 20 February to Thursday 23 February (7pm to 6am, nights only). A single lane closure will be in place on the eastbound approach to the SH29A roundabout while this work is underway. This work is weather dependent. More information.

• SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road: A reduced speed limit of 80km/h will be in place while contractor crews are working behind the barriers. More information.

• SH2 Fifteenth Avenue: Work continues on the upgrade of the intersection at SH2/Fifteenth Avenue and Cameron Road. Traffic management will be in place on the two northern corners, and there will be a reduced number of northbound lanes on Cameron Road. Minor delays are expected. Cameron Road, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth Avenue, has a southbound lane closure through to mid-2023.

· SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): For the Tauranga City Council led Pāpāmoa East Interchange construction project, a section of the TELTR, just north of the Kaituna River Bridge, is reduced to three lanes. Whilst earthworks continue on the south side of the road, both eastbound lanes are open and normal speed applies. The inner westbound lane is open whilst work continues along the outside lane - the speed limit past the work site is 70km/h. This layout will remain in place until May 2023 with reinstatement work planned for June 2023. More information.

The Quayside Properties Ltd led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project has commenced. Temporary barriers have been installed on both sides of the TELTR, and these will be in place until approximately October 2023, with one lane available in either direction. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h will apply through the site. More information.

Western Bay of Plenty

• SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Safety improvement works continue at five active sites: between Tanners Point Road to Kauri Point Road, Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection, Lockington Road / Matahui Road intersection, Morton Road intersection and Apata Station Road to Esdaile Road. Pavement work to complete the Rea Road / Tetley Road roundabout will take place as soon as there is consistent fine weather. There is an unsealed section northbound of the Morton Road roundabout awaiting sealing. Minor delays are expected. More information.

Chipsealing continues in this area on the night of Sunday 19 February. Weather permitting, work will take place from 7pm to 6am each night, Sunday to Thursday. During this time stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits will be in place.

Rotorua

• SH36 Hamurana: A daytime road closure will be in place from Monday 20 to Friday 24 February, between 9am and 5pm each day, to allow road resealing and other maintenance activities to take place near the Mangapouri Bridge. The closure will be between Dudley Road and Kaharoa Road, detour routes are via SH33 and SH2 or SH5, SH28 and SH29.
• SH30A Rotorua CBD: Chipsealing takes place on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 February, between Eruera Street and Ranolf Street. Work will take place at night between the hours of 7pm and 6am.
• SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Multiple worksites are active on SH30/Te Ngae Road between Iles Road and Puketāwhero Park. Temporary traffic management will be in place with all eastbound traffic - including heavy haulage - required to turn at Vaughan Road and follow detours. Any local eastbound traffic at the Iles Road intersection will be required to take the right turn at Iles Road and follow detours. One lane of westbound traffic will be maintained from the Ōwhata roundabout to Iles Road, with a lane shift between 411 Te Ngae Road and Basley Road. Tennyson Drive is closed at the intersection with SH30/Te Ngae Road. There is no exit from Basley Road onto SH30/Te Ngae Road - detours are in place - and there is a temporary left hand turn into Basley Road from SH30/ Te Ngae Road. The upgraded footpath on the lakeside of SH30/Te Ngae Road, between Iles Road and Basley Road is closed. Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information.

Road surface repairs will be undertaken on Wednesday 22 February at the intersection of SH30 and Iles Road. Work will take place between the hours of 7pm and 6am, within the above traffic management setup.

• SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction: Construction of safety improvements continue on the western side of the intersection, with a shoulder closure in place. More information.
• SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Safety improvement upgrade work continues near Pareteiro - Sun Valley Curves passing lane. Temporary traffic management is in place. More information.
• SH30 Te Ruato Bay: Road rehabilitation commences Monday 27 February just west of Lake Okataina Road. This work is expected to be complete by late-March, during this time stop/go or stop/stop traffic management will be in place as required. Work will take place between 6am and 6pm each weekday.

Eastern Bay of Plenty

• SH5 Tarukenga: Road reconstruction commences Monday 27 February on a 300m section west of Tarukenga. Stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits will be in place until late-March while this work takes place. Delays are expected.
• SH30 Awakeri to Whakatāne: Pavement and utility site investigation work will occur during the week along SH30, between the SH30/SH2 and SH30/Shaw Road intersections. Work will be undertaken at night under stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit.
• SH2 Wainui Road to Opotiki: For one week starting Monday 20 Feb, between Wainui Road and Opotiki, people can expect to see some shoulder closures and stop/go at times. When stop/go is in place, minor delays can be expected. This work is weather dependant.
• SH2 Waioeka Gorge: An underslip at the road edge sees a section of road under priority give-way. Care is required when driving through this area.

Tairāwhiti Gisborne/Hawke's Bay

• All State Highways: All state highways within the Tairāwhiti Gisborne and Hawke's Bay regions have sustained damage during Cyclone Gabrielle, and some routes are impassable. Please check the Journey Planner for the most up to date information, and only travel if it is essential.

Manawatū-Whanganui

• SH4 Raetihi to Upokongaro: SH4 is closed between Raetihi and Upokongaro due to multiple fallen trees and slips.
• SH4 Auraki Stream Road Retreat: Work to retreat the road away from a slip adjacent to the Mangawhero River is currently underway and is expected to be complete by mid-2023. For the duration of the works the road is reduced to one lane with traffic control operating under traffic signals. Works are generally undertaken away from the road, however there are occasions where traffic signals are used to keep drivers safe from hazards, with delays of up to 10 minutes. More information.

· SH4 Te Oreore slip: Following a slip in 2019, a temporary road is in place at Te Oreore, with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place. Work to ensure the ongoing safety and resilience of this site is planned to start in the next couple of months, including the construction of three retaining walls north of the main slip area and the drilling and construction of two new dewatering wells. More information.

· SH4 Upokongaro to Raetihi: Ground investigations continue at a site north of Hawken Road.

Waikato

East Waikato

• Coromandel State Highways: SH2, SH25 and SH26 may have overslips, fallen trees and/or other material on the road corridor following Cyclone Gabrielle. Caution is required if travelling, and roads may be closed at short notice.
• SH25A Kopu-Hikuai: A section of road near the summit has collapsed, and the road is impassable. Geotechnical investigations are ongoing. Detour via SH26, SH2, SH25 via the Karangahake Gorge, or SH25 via Coromandel Town. More information.
• SH27 Ngarua: Road rebuilding continues near Ngarua, with work expected to be complete by late February. Stop/go traffic management is in place 24/7 during this time.

Central Waikato

• SH5 Napier – Taupō: SH5 towards Napier is closed due to slips, road damage, and other issues related to Cyclone Gabrielle. Some or all of this closure is expected to be in place for several weeks.
• SH5 Mamaku: Road reconstruction continues on the passing lane area within the Mamaku Forest Park area. Stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits are in place until mid-March while this work takes place. Delays are expected.
• SH1 Ātiamuri: Traffic continues to be managed through the 4.5km site where side and median barriers are being installed south of Ātiamuri. Both north and south-bound lanes are restricted to 50km/h with stop/go in place at active work sites. Pavement works and barrier construction will finish in April 2023. More information.
• SH5 Reporoa: Road reconstruction continues outside the Fonterra factory. Work will take place between the hours of 7am and 5pm, six days a week, until late-February. When works are taking place the road will be closed, with a detour via Reporoa Road and Settlers Road. This detour is suitable for HPMV and over-dimension vehicles.
• SH1 Taupō: Asphalt resurfacing at the three roundabouts on the East Taupō Arterial commences Sunday 19 February, taking approximately two weeks to complete. Work commences at SH1/SH5 Napier Road before moving to SH1/Lake Terrace near the airport, and then SH1/SH5 at Wairakei. Work will take place between 7pm and 6am each night except for Friday 24 February, local detours or stop/go traffic management will be in place, along with temporary speed limits.
• SH1 Waitahanui: Asphalt resurfacing will take place in Waitahanui from Monday 20 February. Stop/go traffic management will be in place between 7am and 7pm each day for approximately two weeks.
• SH1 Rangipo: Road reconstruction commences Monday 20 February at a site south of Rangipo. Stop/go traffic management will be in place for approximately two weeks.
• SH41 Tokaanu: Due to a washout, the road is down to one lane under temporary traffic lights, with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction in place
• SH1 Waiouru: Asphalt resurfacing takes place at the SH1/SH49 intersection from Monday 27 February, taking three nights to complete. Stop go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place between 7pm and 6am each night.

Chipsealing will take place from Waiouru north into the Desert Road this week. Stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits will be in place.

West Waikato

• SH1B Puketaha: SH1B east of Hamilton is closed at the southern end of Telephone Road while options for its long-term future are investigated. Detour via Holland Road, Waverley Road and Seddon Road. More information.
• SH1 Ohinewai: Chipsealing takes place from Sunday 19 February for four nights. Work will take place between 7pm and 6am each night, during which time lane closures and temporary speed limits will be in place. At times the Ohinewai northbound on-ramp will be closed.
• SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngāruawāhia Section: Safety and remedial works have restarted with temporary safety barriers being reinstalled, requiring night-time closures and detours. South-bound closures will take place on Sunday 19 and Monday 20 February. More information.
• SH1C Mangaharakeke Drive: Resurfacing work on the northbound lanes near Foreman Road commences Sunday 26 January and is expected to take three nights to complete. Work will take place between 8pm and 5am each night, during this time northbound traffic will be detoured from Norton Road roundabout via Lincoln Street, Forest Lake Road, Te Rapa Road to re-join SH1C at the Horotiu Interchange. HPMV's and over-dimension vehicles will be stacked and released at regular intervals.

• SH1C Hillcrest: Work at the SH1C/Cambridge Road roundabout will be under stop-go traffic management with one lane in each direction from 4am Sunday 19 February until 6am Monday 20 February, while remedial watermain works are carried out. Traffic will be restored to one lane in each direction following this work. A temporary speed limit of 30km/h is in place at all times. Cambridge Road and Johnsview Terrace are operating as left in/left out only. This work sees the intersection changed to traffic light controls, and is expected to be completed by mid-2023.
• SH23 Dinsdale: Due to the Dinsdale Water Supply Upgrade project, traffic management will be in place around the Dinsdale Roundabout, Rifle Range Road, and the Rifle Range Road and Massey Street intersection until mid-February, dependent on weather and project progress. Full completion of the project is expected by late-April. The northbound lane of Rifle Range Road is closed to traffic. More information.
• SH23 Raglan Deviation: Cracking and slumping has occurred at a section of road approximately 1.6km west of Glentui Lane. The site is active and continuing to move, as such the road is closed to traffic. A temporary road is being constructed to allow vehicles to pass the affected area, and this will be open by early March. Detour via Ngāruawāhia between Raglan and Whatawhata, using Ohautira Road. Asphalt work is continuing within the closure area this week. More information.
• SH3 Glenview: Work has commenced at the Glenview Bus Hub, and this is expected to take three months to complete. Temporary traffic management and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h is in place. More information.
• SH1 Maungatautari: Installation of two street lights near Karapiro Heights commences Monday 13 February, weather permitting. A temporary speed limit and shoulder closure will be in place between 7am and 7pm each day and stop/go traffic management will be in place at times. Work is expected to take a week to complete.

Chipsealing takes place east of Maungatautari Road on the night of Sunday 26 February. Stop/go traffic management will be in place between the hours of 7pm and 5am.

• SH30 Kōpaki: Due to safety concerns Kopaki Bridge is only open to local light traffic. The detour for all other vehicles is via Kopaki Road and SH4. More information.
• SH39 Pirongia – Road rehabilitation and bridge repairs will take place at the northern entry to Pirongia, commencing Monday 27 February. A road closure will be in place for two weeks from mid-March when the rebuild is taking place near the bridge, detours will be in place, with heavy vehicles advised to use SH3. Prior to this stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place.
• SH31 Kawhia Road: A slump has appeared at a location on the Kawhia side of the lookout. Stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit is in place while investigations take place.
• SH4 Taumarunui: Following storm damage, a section of road north of Taumarunui, between the State Highway 43 intersection and Okahukura Bridge Road is under stop/go traffic management, controlled by traffic signals. Enabling works have commenced, and plans for the long-term repair of this road are currently being designed.

North Waikato

· SH2 Mangatāwhiri: Road resurfacing takes place between Bairds Road and Irish Road on Sunday 19 February, between 10pm and 5am.Stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed will be in place.

· SH2 Maramarua: Road resurfacing will take place at multiple locations on Sunday 19 and Monday 20 February. Stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits will be in place at each worksite.

Taranaki

• SH43 Aukopae: Washouts, rockfalls and overslips are present on SH43. Drive with caution.
• SH3 Piopio: A slip has the road down to one lane between Mangaorongo and Paekaka Roads, which is being controlled by traffic signals. Delays of 5-10 minutes are expected. More information.
• SH3 Awakino Bypass: Work is expected to be complete late-March. Stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h speed limit will be present when work is taking place.
• SH3 Awakino: A slip south of Awakau Road has the road down to one lane controlled by traffic signals and a 30km/h temporary speed limit. There are various other slips in the gorge that are currently not affecting traffic, however drivers are asked to drive with caution, and expect delays at the single lane section.
• SH3 Tongapōrutu: A slip has the road down to one lane south of Tongapōrutu, which is being controlled by traffic signals. Delays of 5-10 minutes are expected.
• SH3 Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass: A 50km/h speed limit is in place across a 5km section of SH3 at Mt Messenger. Temporary traffic management measures will still be in place occasionally as required. More information.

For up to 48 hours following completion of chipseal sites, a 50km/h temporary speed limit will be in place until the road is swept and line marking reinstated.

The above information is accurate at the time of release. Many of the above works are dependent on a number of factors, particularly the impact of weather, and may be postponed at short notice. For up-to-date information on road works, traffic, detours and delays, motorists are encouraged to visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz).

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work to keep the state highway network safe, accessible and resilient.