Traffic chaos around Tauranga city

Traffic backed up on Hewletts Road. Photo: Dave Beddis.

"This is nuts." "It's absolute chaos." These are just some comments SunLive has received today from frustrated residents in Tauranga city.

A number of people have contacted SunLive this morning to report traffic delays all over the city.

A crash on SH29, near Omanawa Road, caused traffic delays earlier this morning.

There was also another crash on SH2, near Te Puna. Read more here.

These crashes caused delays in areas that are already prone to heavy traffic congestion.

On the other side of the city, members of the public have reported "ridiculous" traffic days in the Mount Maunganui and Papamoa areas.

A crash on SH29A forced emergency services to close Maungatapu Bridge while the crash scene was cleared.

The road is now open and traffic congestion is expected to ease.

One caller says it took them two hours to get from Sandhurst Drive to Hewletts Road.

Works on Totara Street in Mount Maunganui maybe adding to the delays. SunLive has contacted Tauranga City Council to get an update on these works and will post a story as soon as we have updated information.

"If you can, it might pay to avoid the area as delays are expected," says a Tauranga CIty Council spokesperson when talking about the Totara Street works.

"Thank you for your patience as we carry out this essential work."

 

 

 

10 comments

New council line is to avoid city roads!

Posted on 08-08-2023 11:51 | By jed

Traffic was terrible over the weekend too. Many things are contributing to it, including the new council roading designs which trap drivers into taking longer routes thus adding to congestion.

The Links Ave closure too, What kind of 'person' decides to close a road at school start/end times on days that the school isn't even open? This is an inane decision and the competence of those behind this has to be questioned.

Why is essential work that causes major disruption is not being carried out with urgency? This also applies to the Cameron Road upgrades, which must have been dragging on for almost 3 years now. They're doing very little work whenever I drive through that area.


Traffic crashes

Posted on 08-08-2023 11:56 | By tia

When are Tauranga drivers going to act with some patients and drive to the conditions? Yes, the streets are hell at the moment due to the endless road works, but that doesn't get away from the fact that drivers need to be a little more tolerant. So, perhaps leave a little earlier to get to work.


Overit

Posted on 08-08-2023 12:10 | By overit

These clowns have work going on everywhere, of course its grid locked.


Unmanageable

Posted on 08-08-2023 12:20 | By Omni

One hour fifteen sitting in a car trying to get kids to school this morning. The Tauranga Council and Waka Kotahi have a lot to answer for!!! Massive rates, massive taxes, fuel prices excessive and yet nothing is being done quickly or effectively for all the new subdivisions and new builds going in. Biggest port in NZ and we're not even remotely capable of coping with the necessary transport requirements of the city and large BOP region. Kaimai's is one windy, narrow death trap for those traveling on it.... residents and ratepayers are sick of big wigs getting massive pay cheques for doing nothing constructive or helpful for our region in terms of keeping everyone moving efficiently and safely. I feel sorry for our emergency vehicles trying to get to any emergency with the ineffective roads and infrastructure we have.


SO

Posted on 08-08-2023 13:12 | By waiknot

So the question is: who decided it would be a good idea to carry out on every major road in Tauranga all at the same time?
Thank you Commissioners, NOT


Exactly waiknot.......

Posted on 08-08-2023 14:25 | By Bruja

Complete and utter incompetence! Betcha it's two people behind two screens sitting side by side not talking to each other about ANYTHING. No coordination, no "if we do that then what happens when.....' Sack them, seriously, I could do batter, none can do worse!


On purpose?

Posted on 08-08-2023 16:47 | By Naisey

After today's debarcle with Totara road being COMPLETELY CLOSED as well as other gridlock issues, I'm thinking council did this on purpose to push their new "fewer cars, more bikes, scooters,etc." is a good idea. (Not if you're physically disabled, though, but no-one checks with our community!) Insanity on the roads, making it harder to get to work. Forcing us into deeper financial issues while they make ridiculous decisions and try to enforce them, from their well padded, gilded thrones. Seems rather suspicious, doesn't it?


Dis-functional Not

Posted on 08-08-2023 18:04 | By Owen G.

They sacked our elected councillors and set us up with this mess. Can we please have our democracy back? Owen G


YEAH WELL

Posted on 08-08-2023 21:53 | By The Caveman

Went to Singapore some years ago. Airport to CBD in taxi - asked driver what's going on over there ??? ANSWER - new SIX lane road - three lanes each way for 20KM - airport to CBD!!!

11 months later - asked the next taxi driver what happened to the new road - YOU ARE ON IT IN MY CAB !!!! ROAD TOTALLY COMPLETED and in use !!!


Bus

Posted on 09-08-2023 10:29 | By Blair skarratt

Buses are running late due to traffic and 40 all ways late because don't pick up on time and then stuck in traffic coming in to city and they have not finished around 55 and ct route they say 10 weeks but nothing and it would been faster by rail if had them and Mount is busy with traffic to bayfair


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.