The recent change in weather has been a good prompt for road users to think about winter conditions and the adjustments required when driving during the colder, wetter months of the year.

Ice, fog, rain and snow can make for unforgiving road conditions, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

Allowing extra time for your journeys and driving to the road and weather conditions will ensure you reach your destination safely, says Bay of Plenty system manager Roger Brady.

'We have already seen this year the impact weather can have on the state highway network, and that was reinforced during this week's weather. The slips in the Waimana Gorge and near Taneatua are causing disruption to those travelling in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.”

With more wet weather forecast, Roger recommends following some simple tips to ensure you reach your destination safely.

'During wet weather it's a good idea to maintain a greater following distance between your vehicle and the one in front, slow down and be prepared for unexpected hazards. If driving long distances consider sharing the driving and ensure you take regular breaks. Finally, check the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner (www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz) before you leave home to ensure you have the latest information on the state highway network.

'A well-planned journey is more likely to be a safe journey.”

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. Through the area of the construction zone on Cambridge Road there will be stop/go in place between Monday 8 and Friday 12 May, between the hours of 9am and 4pm each day, for utility work. More information.

SH2 Wairoa Cycleway: Construction has begun on the last 800m section of the Ōmokoroa to Tauranga cycleway, between the Wairoa Bridge and Bethlehem. While most of the works will be undertaken at night, there will be traffic management in place during the day for on-road works. Work is expected to take about three months to complete. This project is a partnership between Tauranga City Council and Waka Kotahi. More information.

SH2 Bay Link: The new Bayfair flyover is open, taking traffic over the Bayfair roundabout and making it safer for everyone by separating local and state highway traffic. Road reconstruction is underway on all ground level roads leading into, and away from, the Bayfair roundabout, with the following temporary traffic layouts in place: A single lane is available on Maunganui Road northbound from opposite Exeter Street, through the Bayfair roundabout to opposite Concord Avenue, on Maunganui Road southbound from Concord Avenue to Bayfair roundabout and around the Bayfair roundabout. Find out more about the new road layout at www.nzta.govt.nz/bayfairflyover. At the Bayfair roundabout, a partial overnight closure will be in place between Girven and Matapihi Road on Sunday 7 May (from approximately 7pm to 6am) to enable works to be completed safely near live traffic lanes. During these hours, a detour via the SH29A roundabout will be in place. In the event of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, the closure may be moved to the next suitable night/s.

A single lane closure will be in place on Matapihi Road approaching Bayfair roundabout from Sunday 7 May to Thursday 11 May (from approximately 6.30pm to 6am, nights only). New work zones will be established on Matapihi Road at the intersection of Owens Place, and approaching the Bayfair roundabout to enable the completion of this intersection. As part of this, the pedestrian crossing on Matapihi Road will move between the two HomeZone shopping area entrances. The right turn from Matapihi Road onto Owens Place will be permanently closed. Road users wishing to turn right onto Owens Place from Matapihi Road will use the Bayfair roundabout, complete a full turn at the roundabout before returning along Matapihi Road and turning left into Owens Place.

SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road (TDTR): A reduced speed limit of 80km/h will be in place while contractor crews are working behind the barriers. Resurfacing works will take place the nights of Wednesday 10 May and Thursday 11 May. Road closure in place for all southbound traffic. Detour via Cambridge Road, Moffat Road and SH2. (weather dependent)

SH2 Fifteenth Avenue: Work continues on the upgrade of the intersection at SH2/Fifteenth Avenue and Cameron Road. Work is currently focused on the southeast corner of the Fifteenth Avenue intersection. Temporary traffic management is in place with a westbound lane closure on Fifteenth Avenue, with traffic able to turn left onto Cameron Road from the centre lane, and a southbound lane closure on Cameron Road, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth Avenue. Moderate traffic delays are expected

SH2 Hewletts Road: Work continues to upgrade the existing footpath on the northern side of SH2 Hewletts Road to a shared use path. Work is taking place in four consecutive stages to minimise disruption. Works in the last stage, between Maru St and Aerodrome Rd, are now underway. The northbound bus lane will be closed Monday to Friday between 5am and 3pm each day. Line marking of the new shared path is underway between Totara Street and Aerodrome Road, with works taking place at night only. A detour for people walking and cycling will be in place. Regular traffic lanes will operate as per normal. More information.

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 late June 2023 with reinstatement work planned for July 2023. More information. The Quayside Properties Ltd led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues. 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 on SH2.
Tanners Point Road to Kauri Point Road, road widening works continue throughout the week. Expect speed reductions and minor delays of one to two minutes. Lockington Rd / Matahui Rd Intersection - Roundabout construction underway. Lane shifts and speed reductions in place. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, but typically expect minor delays of one to two minutes. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team. SH2 / Sargent Drive – Slip Repairs - Lane shifts and speed reductions in place. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team.

Apata Station Rd to Esdaile Road – Lane shifts and speed restrictions for Road widening works. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, but typically expect minor delays of one to two minutes. More information