Work continues along the State Highway 2 corridor between Waihī and Tauranga this week.

“With students back at school and people back at work planning is essential to ensure your journey is as straightforward as possible,” says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Bay of Plenty journey manager Frankie Evans.

“Strategies such as working from home if you can, delaying travel during peak hours and allowing plenty of time to reach your destination will all help.”

Works are expected to continue into March as maintenance crews make the most of warm, dry weather before autumn sets in.

This year’s road renewals/resealing programme is significant, with 20 chipseal sites between Bethlehem and Athenree to keep the corridor in good condition.

“The work is weather-dependent and, where possible, done at night to minimise disruption," says Frankie.

Well maintained roads are an important part of keeping people safe.

"We aim to do this work with as little disruption as possible, although roadworks can be inconvenient. Thanks for your patience while we do these important works."

NZTA asks drivers to please drive carefully through work sites and stick to the temporary speed limits.

Intended programme for February 19 to 23

"Our programme is weather dependent, and can be impacted by other unforeseen issues. Changes sometimes occur at short notice so may be postponed to the next suitable day/night."

Maintenance / reseal sites north of Katikati
Night works began at Athenree on 14 February 14 and will continue south into at eight sites. 

• Athenree
• Commodore Corner
• Hikurangi North
• Hikurangi Road
• Tuapiro Road
• McMillan Road
• Woodland Road 

Nightworks will be under stop/go. Expect temporary speed limits on the following day with loose chip, and an estimated completion date of March 3.

Athenree Gorge
Resealing and line marking changes ahead of flexible median barrier installation. Contraflow in place with speed restrictions. Estimated completion March 2024.

Kauri Point Road to Stokes Road
Service relocations underway. Widening shoulder ahead of installation of flexible median barrier. Contraflow and shoulder closures in place with speed restrictions. Estimated completion late February.

SH2 Rea/Tetley, Lockington/Matahui and Morton Road roundabouts
Final line marking and sweeping at 3 roundabout sites. Estimated completion by February 23.

SH2/Sharp Road Intersection
Roundabout construction underway with significant activities on the southbound lanes. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, but typically expect minor delays. Ongoing to mid-2024.

Apata Curves
Road widening works underway. Contraflow in place with speed restrictions. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, but typically expect minor delays. Enabling works for roundabout site estimated completion 2025.

SH2/near Loop Road, Te Puna 
Construction continues at the western tie-in of the Takitimu North Link project, where utilities relocations are underway. 

SH2/Te Mete Road, Te Puna
Haul road set up to support summer earthworks season for construction of Takitimu North Link, shoulder closure, 60km/h temporary speed limit. Works ongoing. 

Check Journey Planner before you travel 

"Unreliable travel times are frustrating for everyone, and this is a particularly busy time with an increased level of activity on roads during the warmer, drier months of the year when we complete the bulk of this critical work – as well as our longer term projects," says an NZTA spokesperson.

"People will have noticed the mornings are cooler in recent days, meaning Autumn is around the corner, so we need to make the most of the current conditions."

NZTA say while these projects are in construction, the cumulative effect of multiple programmes of work is being monitored at a regional network level and, at times, this is challenging to get right.

"Wherever possible, our crews work at night and coordinate or combine works to minimise disruption, however, the capacity of the network is stretched."