Journeys to the country’s largest port and best beaches are set to get a bit smoother thanks to night works on a section of State Highway 2 Takitimu Drive Toll Road near the Kopurererua Stream.

Work begins on Sunday, March 17, and will take about eight nights to complete (weather depending).

Workers will be on site each night between 8pm and 4.30am. During this time there is a full closure of the SH2 City Centre/Mt Maunganui off-ramps for traffic travelling northbound.

This section of the Tauranga state highway network is a critical link for people working, living and playing in the beautiful Bay, explains Roger Brady Bay of Plenty Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations at NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

“Every day, thousands of people travel through this part of SH2, heading off to hang out in the Mount, or deliver freight to the Port and to work and get home. We need to keep this route safe, smooth and resilient.”

These night works will see the rebuilding of a section of SH2. This includes new asphalt layers and road markings.

Detours will be in place while the night work is underway.

During the day there is a reduced speed limit in place which will cause delays, this is due to the change in surface levels at each end of the worksite.

“Doing this work at night will help to reduce the disruption, and to keep our road crews safe.”

Road closures, detours or temporary speed limits are also in-place for other works across the Bay.

This includes overbridge construction on Cambridge Road (Takitimu North Link), work on SH29 Kaimai Ranges and SH2 between Waihī and Bethlehem, and the final stages at Baypark to Bayfair Link.

“Road works have been a feature of people’s journeys across the Bay of Plenty this summer. We understand this has been frustrating for some drivers, but making the most of the warm and dry weather means our roads will be stronger and more resilient for longer.

“Our advice is to plan ahead and use the NZTA Journey Planner (https://journeys.nzta.govt.nz/) on the day of your travel. You’ll be able to see the latest road and traffic conditions, and make the most out of your travel,” says Mr Brady.

Nighttime detour:

Light vehicles: Light vehicles to continue on SH2 to 15th Avenue off-ramp, then to Cameron Road, Elizabeth Street, and then re-joining SH2 at the Elizabeth Street roundabout.

Heavy vehicles – from Tauriko: Heavy vehicles travelling north will be required to take SH29A, and SH2 via Baypark and Bayfair. This will add approximately 10 minutes to travel times.

Heavy vehicles – from Bethlehem: Heavy vehicles travelling east will be required to continue on SH2 to 15th Avenue off-ramp, then through to Turret Road, onto SH29A and SH2 via Baypark and Bayfair. This will add approximately 10 minutes to travel times.

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

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook: facebook.com/TransportAgency
• Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahi_news
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)