Tauranga City Council is urging motorists to avoid all unnecessary travel on Monday and Tuesday, February 12 and 13, and instead work from home, ride share or use alternative transport if they can.

Two major arterial routes around the city will be partially or fully closed both days.

The Council is expecting major traffic delays and severe congestion on Monday and Tuesday following the unexpected closure of a section of State Highway 29A near Oropi for emergency work, combined with an unavoidable lane closure on Totara Street, as both are major routes in and out of Mount Maunganui.  

Totara Street lane closure

"The Council is doing all it can to help the situation, including opening the eastbound Hewletts Road bus lane for all vehicles going toward Maunganui Road," says a Tauranga City Council spokesperson.

"Unfortunately, Totara Street cannot be opened to two lanes due to partially completed road rebuilding work."

This work on Totara Street is expected to be complete by 6am Wednesday February 14, with contractors working around the clock to finish as quickly as possible.

State Highway 29A closure

The closure of State Highway 29A between Barkes Corner and Oropi Road Roundabout follows the discovery of a large cavity under the road.

"Until investigations reveal the extent of the repair, the timeframe for re-opening is unknown at this stage," says a council spokesperson.

A large hole has opened up under State Highway 29A between Barkes Corner and Oropi Roundabout, unexpectedly causing a closure of the road for emergency work to take place. Photo: NZTA Waka Kotahi.

Detours are in place for both roads, but the Council strongly urges motorists to delay unnecessary travel, use alternative transport, or work from home until Wednesday if possible.

"Thanks to the community for their patience and understanding while work is underway to repair both roads."

Huge traffic delays and severe congestion are expected around Tauranga on Monday and Tuesday following road and lane closures on SH29A and Totara Street. Photo: SunLive.

Waihi to Tauranga corridor

Meanwhile roadworkers have been cracking on with work on State Highway 2 between Waihī and Tauranga, making the most of dry spells of weather with a significant programme of road renewals, to help keep the road in good condition.

On Friday, February 9 there were significant traffic delays between Bethlehem and Omokoroa due to the chipseal worksites along the state highway. Motorists experienced up to two to three hours of gridlock traffic.

A sign on SH2 near Te Puna states that these roadworks are in place from February 8-11.