It’s now autumn, but that doesn’t stop the maintenance roadshow as contractors work towards completing the 2023/24 road renewals programme. 

Road works have been a feature of people’s journeys across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty this summer with over 250 lane kilometres being resealed. 

This may be frustrating for some drivers, however making the most of the warm and dry weather means our roads will be stronger and more resilient for longer, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Bay of Plenty journey manager Frankie Evans.

“We’ve been busy across the region. Key areas to see a lot of activity include SH2 north of Tauranga, where 8 of 20 resealing sites are still to be completed between Ōmokoroa and Katikati; the focus will then shift to a number of sites on SH2 south near Pongakawa. 

“We’re really pleased the work on SH1 Desert Road, involving a series of overnight road closures to enable significant asphalt works between Rangipo and Waiouru, has been completed ahead of schedule.

“This shows how beneficial it is when contractors can work in an environment without traffic.”

Across the region, where works are taking place, it is important motorists follow temporary speed limits to ensure the safety of other road users, road workers and themselves.

While most drivers are getting it right through worksites, it is disappointing to see some people speeding and putting others at risk, says Frankie. 

“Speeding vehicles can flick up loose metal and other objects, which can be dangerous to our road workers and other road users. 

“Motorists also have less control at higher speeds. They may clip road cones and send them flying at our road workers or oncoming traffic - or lose control completely. 

“Even when there is no one working on site, we may leave speed limits in place to protect road users.

“Drivers should also consider reduced visibility and the effects of temporary surfaces at night and in bad weather, as well as the safety of motorcyclists and cyclists.  

“Safety is always our highest priority, and we make no apologies for this,” says Frankie.

For up-to-date travel information please check Journey Planner.

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

· Takitimu North Link Stage One: Earthworks are underway across a number of sites. On Wairoa Road, stop/go traffic management is in place while trucks are crossing Wairoa Road, and 30km/h speed limits is in place at all times within the construction area. Work in this area will become more evident as the Wairoa Road bridge is completed in preparation for its opening. Minden Road has a 30km/h speed limit throughout the construction zone. A temporary haul road, separated from SH2, into the Te Mete Valley is operational to support the summer earthworks season. Temporary speed limit of 60km/h on SH2 alongside the haul road. More information.

· Cambridge/Moffat roads: Construction work to complete the new Cambridge Road Overbridge, between Bethlehem and Tauriko continues. Until April 2024, there is a full closure of a section of Moffat Road between Tauranga Adventist School and Cambridge Road (East). This is disruptive, there are local alternative routes for light vehicles, and all heavy vehicles can use SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road. More information. 

· Waihī Road, Tauranga: Tauranga City Council will be undertaking asphalt resurfacing work working on Waihī Road until Sunday 10 March, the SH2 on-ramp to SH2 Takitimu Drive will be closed during this time.

· SH2 Bethlehem: On Sunday 3 March repairs will be made to the surface at the new cycleway crossing near Bethlehem. Stop/go traffic management will be in place between 9pm and 5am. 

· SH2 Bay Link: People travelling between Baypark and Bayfair will continue to see road and lane closures at night. This week these are from Sunday 3 March to Friday 8 March (approximately 7pm to 6am each night) on Maunganui Road southbound between Concord Avenue and SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange, and across SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange. Closures will vary night to night, depending on site requirements and progress, and people are asked to allow extra time, follow signposted detours and drive with caution through the project site. To minimise impact, works are undertaken at night where possible. More information.   

· SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road: A reduced speed limit of 80km/h is in place while Takitimu North Link crews are working behind the barriers. 

· SH2/Fifteenth Ave: Early works are underway at SH2/Fifteenth Ave where an on-ramp bridge connection will be built as part of the Takitimu North Link project. Tree felling will take place from Thursday 7 to Saturday 9 March (7.30am – 6pm) with a shoulder closure in place from the Cameron Road intersection onto SH2. Stop/go will be in place Saturday 9 March on Fifteenth Ave.

· SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road Shared Path: The shared path alongside SH2 is diverted until May 2024. An alternative option for path users is available via Kaituna Road and Te Tumu Road.

· SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road: The Quayside Properties Ltd-led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues. Temporary barriers will be in place until approximately June 2024, with one lane available in either direction. A temporary speed limit of 70km/h applies through the site. More information.

Western Bay of Plenty

· SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: At Sharp Road, roundabout construction is underway with significant activity on the southbound lanes. There will be intermittent stop/go in place which may cause longer delays, however, typically there will be minor delays of one to 2 minutes. In the Athenree Gorge, lane shifts and speed restrictions are in place while line markings are changed.

· SH2 Apata Curves: Road widening works are underway with lane shifts and speed restrictions in place. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, however typically delays will be between one to 2 minutes. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team.

· SH2 Tahawai: Lane shifts, shoulder closures and speed restrictions are in place between Kauri Point Road and Stokes Road as services are relocated. These works are expected to be completed by the end of February.

· SH2/near Loop Road, Te Puna: Construction continues at the western tie-in of the Takitimu North Link project, where utilities need to be moved.

· SH2 Bethlehem to Athenree: Resealing is underway at a number of locations on SH2 between Bethlehem and Waihī. Reseals between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa will result in some line-marking changes with wide centrelines installed (providing greater separation for opposing traffic).

· SH2 between Te Karaka Drive and Barrett Road: Road rehabilitation night works near Whakamārama will start on Sunday 3 March between 8pm and 5am. For the first 3 nights (Sunday 3 to Tuesday 5 March), stop/stop will be needed between Barrett Road and Te Karaka Drive. During this time there will be a one-hour traffic hold with a 10-minute release to allow 60m sections to be milled and resurfaced. On Wednesday 6, Thursday 7 and Sunday 10 March, traffic control will revert to stop/go. No work will take place on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 March. More information

Rotorua

· SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Work is underway between Ōwhata Roundabout and Tumene Drive, including surface milling, asphalting and stormwater connections in the westbound lane. Multiple active worksites may include stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures, temporary pedestrian crossings, footpath closures, and/or reduced speed limits. The bus stops outside 473 and 429 SH30 Te Ngae Road are closed for approximately 2 weeks, while construction is underway on new bus stop foundations. The nearest operational bus stop is located 50-metres west on SH30 / Te Ngae Road (towards Basley Road). Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information.

· SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Temporary traffic lights are in place 24/7 until mid-March while pavement construction is underway. Minor traffic delays are expected for this work about 6km north of Ōkere Falls. Other work includes widening of the road corridor, installing safety barriers and improving drainage. Temporary traffic management is in place including stop/go, lane shifts, shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. More information.

· SH30/33 Te Ngae Junction: From 6pm Monday 4 March night work begins on installing safety barriers at the roundabout. Work will take place between 6pm and 7am for 5 nights (weather permitting). Temporary traffic management in place includes stop/go, lane shifts, and reduced speed limits. Minor traffic delays are expected.  More information.

Eastern Bay of Plenty

· SH2 Manganuku Bridge, Waioeka Gorge: A reduced speed limit of 30km/h for heavy vehicles will remain in place until further notice. Heavy vehicles must adhere to the speed limit as those travelling at higher speeds will exert greater loads on the structure, which currently poses a significant risk. Repairs will start on the bridge in mid-March and will take 3-4 weeks to complete.

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 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 NZTA Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz).

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

Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

· COVID-19 services update: nzta.govt.nz/COVID19 

· Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic 

· Facebook: facebook.com/NZTAWaikatoBoP 

· Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBP 

· Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz 

· Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)