With the majority of the road renewals programme now complete, there’s an opportunity to reflect on the work completed over the past 6 months.

Crews have worked hard through the summer, resealing and rebuilding road across the Waikato Bay of Plenty state highway network, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi regional manager maintenance and operations for Waikato Bay of Plenty Roger Brady.

“When the season starts, we always hope we get a clear run in terms of weather.

“While we had some wet spells, overall, the weather was pretty good and we have achieved a lot.

“In particular, I’d like to highlight the work of the teams who have completed significant programmes across the Coromandel Peninsula, the Eastern Bay of Plenty and right throughout the Waikato.

“At times it has been challenging for all road users facing disruption caused by so many worksites.

“However, the vast majority of the travelling public have been appreciative of the work being completed, and I want to thank people for their cooperation.

“Works will continue through April and into May at a reduced volume, with asphalt work and some resealing able to continue even as temperatures start to drop.

“Hewletts Road in Tauranga is an example of this, road rebuilding and resurfacing will start on Sunday 14 April and continue until mid-May, with work taking place at night to minimise disruption to motorists.

“Everything we do now will help us keep the network safe and accessible over winter,” says Roger. 

Road users are reminded to check the NZTA Journey Planner website for the latest road conditions across the state highway network.

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

· Takitimu North Link Stage One: Earthworks are underway across a number of sites. On Wairoa Road, traffic has been shifted onto the Wairoa Bridge. Traffic on the bridge is down to one lane during the day with traffic management still in place. Outside of work hours both lanes are open with a 30km/h speed limit in place. The road layout will change frequently while drainage and utilities are installed along with tying in works to connect to the existing road. A temporary haul road, separated from SH2, into the Te Mete Valley is operational with a temporary speed limit of 60km/h alongside the haul road. More information. 

· Cambridge/Moffat roads: Construction work to complete the new Cambridge Road Overbridge, between Bethlehem and Tauriko continues. Until next week 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. In the next phase of work, with the bridge in use, we will continue work to build the new Cambridge Road East intersection. A section of Cambridge Road East from Moffat Road to St Andrews Roundabout will be closed while the new intersection joining onto Moffat Road is constructed. Detours will be in place for the closed section of Cambridge Road East. More information. 

· SH2 Bay Link:  From Friday 5 April to Friday 12 April (excluding Saturday 6 April) overnight closures (from approximately 7pm or later each night to 6am the following morning) will apply on Girven Road, Maunganui Road (in both directions between Concord Avenue and Exeter Street), Matapihi Road, Owens Place and around Bayfair roundabout. Closures and detours will vary night to night, depending on site requirements and progress. More information.

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

· SH2 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui:  From Sunday 14 April road rebuilding and resurfacing will take place for a month on Hewletts Road. The work will be carried out at night between 8.30pm and 5.30am from Sunday to Thursday. There will be detours or lane closures in place for different phases of this work. More information. 

· SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR) 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 (TELTR): The Quayside Properties Ltd-led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues. Temporary barriers are 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: Roundabout construction at Sharp Road is underway, with night works with stop/go for asphalt works and barrier installation. During the day there will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays, but typically expect minor delays of 1 to 2 minutes. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team. Starting in late April 3.8km of flexible median barrier in the Athenree Gorge (north of Katikati) is being installed, this is due to be complete by early May. Widening work has previously taken place at this location and installation of median barrier has been coordinated with the reseals programme on SH2 this summer. Contraflow in place with speed restrictions.

· SH2 Apata Curves: Road widening works underway. Contra flow 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 of 1 to 2 minutes. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team and watch for layout changes.

· SH2 Ōmokoroa Road: Shoulder closures and speed reductions are in place near the SH2/Ōmokoroa Road intersection as early works take place ahead of the Ōmokoroa Roundabout project. More information. 

· SH29 Kaimai:  Resurfacing between Ngamuwahine Road and Kaimai School will take place between Sunday 7 April and Wednesday 24 April. The work will be carried out from Sunday to Thursday between 8pm and 5am each night. Lane diversions and stop/go with 30km/h temporary speed limits will be in place during these hours. Expect minor delays during daytime hours, as lane shifts and temporary speed limits remain in place for uneven surfaces. 

· SH29 Omanawa Bridge, Lower Kaimai: A bridge inspection will take place on Tuesday 9 April between 8pm and 5am. There will be stop/go in place with a 30km/h temporary speed limit. Minor delays should be expected.

· SH36 Pyes Pā: Tree felling is underway near 1226 Pyes Pā Road and will continue until mid-April. Work is taking place between 7am and 5pm each weekday, traffic will be held when a tree is being felled; this should be a delay of no more than 5 minutes. 

Rotorua

· SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Work underway between Tumene Drive and Ōwhata Road includes surface milling, asphalting and stormwater connections in the westbound lane. Night works for road resurfacing will take place from 7pm to 5am on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 April. Temporary traffic management including stop/go and speed restrictions will be in place. Minor delays are expected. Noise and vibration are associated with these works. These dates are weather dependent and may alter. Please refer to the VMS boards on site for confirmed dates. Multiple active worksites may include stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures, temporary pedestrian crossings, footpath closures, and/or reduced speed limits. The bus stop outside 473 SH30 Te Ngae Road is currently closed 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: Pavement construction is underway and 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. Traffic lights are in operation 24/7 from Tuesday 2 April, we expect these to be in place for 4 weeks. Minor delays are expected. More information. 

Eastern Bay of Plenty

· SH2 Waioeka Gorge: Work to repair 2 underslips in the Waioeka Gorge will start on Monday 8 April, taking 2 months to complete. Crews will be on site between 7am and 6pm each weekday. The worksites are at Oponae and near Goldsmiths Reserve (approximately 4 kms north of Oponae) Due to the narrow width of the lane and the work that is required on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 April there will be stop/stop in place for up to 30 minutes at a time – delays are to be expected, be prepared for longer journey times.

· SH2 Pekatahi Bridge: The Pekatahi Bridge will be closed for scheduled maintenance for 3 days from Monday 15 April. Contractors will be repairing and replace damaged decking planks. While the work is taking place between 8am and 5pm a detour for all vehicles will be in available northbound via Taneatua Road, Arawa Road, Hinemoa Street and on to SH30 towards Awakeri, southbound traffic will use the same route in reverse. 

Tairāwhiti Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay: 

· SH5 Napier to Taupō: Recovery alliance Transport Rebuild East Coast (TREC) continues to progress safety improvements, as well as repair, recovery and maintenance activities at multiple sites on SH5 between Eskdale and Waipunga. Overall, please plan for delays of up to 40 minutes across the SH5 Napier to Taupō corridor. Stop/go traffic management and temporary reduced speed limits of 30km/h and/or 50km/h are in place at worksites. Safety improvements are underway at: Marshall’s Bridge between Eskdale and Glengarry; the passing lane near Te Pōhue Golf Club; south of the passing lane near Mohaka Rafting, between Te Pōhue and Te Hāroto; and curves south of Tarawera café. As work is dependent on variables such as weather, these sites may change at short notice. More information.

Waikato

A variety of safety improvements across the Waikato have started, these will contribute towards making the roads safer. The programme of works includes a mixture of new and modified signage, new hazard warning signs, roadside safety/barrier guard rail, road widening, improved road lines and improved road markings. It is expected there will be minimal disruption for motorists while this work is completed. The works will take place until June 2024. More information.

East Waikato

· SH25 Coromandel: Ongoing recovery works to repair damage caused by last summer’s severe weather. The sites include Kereta, Te Kouma, and Wharekaho. Stop/go traffic management will be in place at these locations. Work is also underway between Whangamatā and Waihī to repair and upgrade side drains. More information. 

· SH25A: From early April, new signage and hazard warning signs, improved road markings and audio tactile profiles (rumble strips) will be installed along SH25A to make the road safer. This work will be done overnight over several weeks, with stop/go traffic management in place.  

· SH25 Ruamahunga: Slip stabilisation continues. Equipment and supplies are being delivered to the top of the slope by helicopter on a regular basis. These will require a series of short road closures so the helicopter can safely operate over the road. This is usually done mid-week across the middle of the day to minimise impacts on traffic.

· SH2 Karangahake Gorge: Motorists are advised to expect delays and allow extra time while important road repairs are carried out on SH2 through the Karangahake Gorge from early April. As part of the wider road renewals programme, the highway will be closed overnight through the gorge for 5 nights from Sunday 7 April to allow for road resurfacing. A detour is available via SH26, SH27, SH24, SH29 and SH2. The road will close from 8pm until 5am and temporary speed limits will be in place during the day. A separate project to repair an underslip opposite Victoria Battery will begin on Monday 15 April. This will take between 4 and 6 weeks, depending on the weather. The road will be reduced to a single lane with stop/go traffic management and a speed restriction in place while work is being done.   

· SH27 Kaihere: Motorists are advised to take care while underslip repairs take place. This will take between 4 and 6 weeks, depending on weather. While this work is underway the road will be reduced to a single lane with stop/go traffic management and a speed restriction in place.

· SH24 Matamata to SH29: At times stop/go traffic management will be in place until mid-April, while road widening work is completed, followed by signage and rumble strip installation. Minor delays are expected. 

· SH29 Hinuera: Work to rebuild the road adjacent to the rail crossing is in its final stages. The work is due to be completed by mid-late April when a final asphalt surface will be applied.

Central Waikato

· SH1 Lichfield: Just north of Tokoroa, road rehabilitation continues until early April. Stop/go traffic management will be in place between 8am and 5pm on Monday 8 April, along with a light vehicle detour, southbound via Wiltsdown Road, Paraonui Road and Rollett Road. Northbound vehicles will travel in the opposite direction. Heavy vehicles will remain on SH1 at all times. Please follow the directions of onsite signage. 

· SH1 Ātiamuri: Road widening is underway for safety barrier installation, from the Waikato River Bridge south to Thorpe Road. Work is behind temporary safety barriers in some places and there is a 50km/h speed restriction between Atiamuri bridge and Ohakuri Road, and a 70km/h speed restriction between Ohakuri Road and Thorpe Road.

· SH1 Maroa Road: Resealing and joint repairs have been completed - part of the finishing works on the 4.8km site where safety barriers were installed last year. 

· SH1 East Taupō Arterial: Road widening and flexible safety barrier installation continues between SH5 / Napier Road and the airport roundabout. One lane is open in each direction with speed restrictions in place. Completion is expected by mid-2024. More information.   

· SH41 Tokaanu: Due to a washout, the road is down to one lane under temporary traffic lights, with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction in place. Works to repair the washout are due to begin mid April and will take 3-4 weeks to complete.

West Waikato

· SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngāruawāhia section: Safety improvements and remedial works continue with traffic managed through the site with single lanes and 50km/h speed restriction. There are northbound closures and detours Sundays to Thursdays, 7pm-5am, until 11 April.  More information.

· SH1C Te Rapa Bypass: Road resurfacing is underway on a 6km section, between Te Wetini Dr/Wairere Dr overbridge near Wintec through to the Horotiu Interchange. This work is expected to take 3 months. Work has started on the southernmost section, with night works running from Sunday night 7 April until Thursday night 11 April. Nights work are expected to be completed by Thursday 18 April. The road will be shut between 8pm and 6am when work is taking place, with the northbound lanes scheduled to be done first, followed by the southbound lanes. While the Te Rapa section is closed the detour between the Horotiu Interchange and SH1C Mangaharakeke Drive will be via Wairere Drive and Te Rapa Road.

· SH1C Greenwood Street Hamilton: Road resurfacing will take place on SH1C Greenwood Street between Killarney Road and Bandon Street, from 7pm Monday 8 April, taking 4 nights to complete. During this time access to Greenwood Street via Killarney road will be closed to through traffic. Access for eastbound traffic will be via Killarney Road, Columbo Street and Bandon Street and westbound via Smith Street and Bandon Street. Stop/go will be in place on SH1C Greenwood Street, this may cause minor delays. 

· SH1 Karāpiro (Hickey Road): Construction of the fifth turnaround bay in the SH1 Cambridge to Piarere safety improvements project, just north of Hickey Road, is progressing slower than planned, awaiting the relocation of telecommunication cables. In early March our contractors began establishing the site, during which time the cables were discovered. Necessary arrangements are now being made for these to be moved. In the meantime, a shoulder closure remains in place at the site but any effect on travel times in the area should be minor. Work will continue as soon as possible, with the aim of completing construction in June (weather permitting). More information.

· SH1 Karāpiro (Tunakawa Road): The finishing touches are being applied to the Tunakawa Road turnaround bay. Night works are also underway to install median barrier from south of Mobil Karāpiro to Fergusson Gully Road. This work is occurring weeknights from now until Friday 12 April (weather permitting) and will require alternating stop/go traffic management. All work is expected to be completed by mid-April. More information.

· SH1 Karāpiro: Work is underway on a section of SH1 between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road in preparation for median barrier being installed mid-2024. The current focus is on pavement construction, which will be followed by surfacing, lighting, and barrier installation. The worksite is under a temporary speed limit of 50km/h and the crew is currently working directly behind the delineators, so it is essential for safety that motorists adhere to the temporary speed limit. The slow (left-hand) lane of the southbound passing lane between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road is closed for the majority of construction. Access in and out of Kentucky Road remains. Work is expected to be finished by late June.

· SH1/SH29 Piarere Intersection: Roundabout construction continues with most work currently happening off the state highway. Road users can expect to see layout changes on SH1 and SH29 in stages. Traffic south of the roundabout will be moved onto a newly constructed section of road adjacent to SH1 on Monday 15 April. The changeover will occur between 8pm and 5am, Sunday 14 April (weather permitting) with temporary speed restrictions, stop/go and shoulder closures in place. Motorists are asked to drive with extra care through the site, while people adjust to the new road layout. A temporary speed limit of 60km/h will be in place on the bypass road to protect road workers and ensure the safety of everyone travelling through the area. Motorists should expect some delay to journeys and are asked to follow instructions of roadworkers and temporary traffic signage. More information. 

· SH3 Melville: The northbound lane of SH3 Ohaupo Road between Normandy Avenue and Beatty Street will close for 2 nights from Thursday 11 April. This will allow repairs on the overhanging traffic signals on the pedestrian crossing north of Normandy Avenue to take place. A detour will be available via Normandy Avenue and Lorne Street, Southbound vehicles will remain on SH3 with a lane switch.

· SH30 Te Kūiti: Due to a slip, priority give-way is in place near Mangaokewa Road, motorists are advised to proceed with caution.

· SH30 Kōpaki: The Kōpaki rail overbridge will be down to one lane with stop/go traffic management from Monday 8 April for up to 3 days while maintenance is carried out.

· SH3 Te Kūiti: Drivers on SH3 are advised to expect delays, with work taking place to build a retaining wall and culvert on a stretch of highway between Te Kūiti and the SH3/SH4 junction. Stop/go traffic management will be in place at night, with lane shifts in place during the day. Traffic management will be in place until the end of May 2024. 

North Waikato

· Pioneer Road (north): The Pioneer Road northbound off-ramp is closed while slip repairs take place. Please continue on SH1 and exit at the Pōkeno northbound off-ramp, turn around at McDonald Road and head south using the Pōkeno southbound on-ramp onto SH1 to get off at Pioneer Road (south). Work will be ongoing until Friday 17 May.

· SH1 Pioneer Road to Mercer interchange: There will be a full southbound closure on Monday 8 and Wednesday 10 April between 10pm and 5am for resurfacing. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes. 

· SH1 Dragway Road to Island Block Road: There will be a full northbound closure on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 April between 10pm and 5am for resurfacing. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes.

· SH1 Springhill Road to Hampton Downs: There will be a full southbound closure on Sunday 7 April between 9pm and 5am for resurfacing. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes. Stop/go traffic management will be in place at Dragway Road. 

· SH1 Hampton Downs to Te Kauwhata: There will be a full southbound closure on Tuesday 9 April between 9pm and 5am for line marking. Please use the recommended detour via Whangamarino Road. 

· SH2 Pokeno to Mangatawhiri Road: Stop/go traffic management will be in place on Tuesday 9 April between 10pm and 5am for multiple maintenance activities. 

· SH2 Mangatawhiri Road to Rawiri Road/Golf Course Road: There will be a full closure in both directions on Wednesday 10 April between 10pm and 5am for multiple maintenance activities. Please use the recommended detour via Mangatawhiri Road and Rawiri Road.

· SH2 Rawiri Road/ Golf Course Road to Kopuku Road: Stop/go traffic management will be in place on Thursday 11 April between 10pm and 5am for multiple maintenance activities.

Taranaki

· SH3 Uruti: Slip repairs continue at SH3 Uruti, north of Mangamaio Road. The work includes the installation of rock mesh protection to improve the safety and resilience of this slip-prone area of the network. Stop/Go traffic management with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction is in place 24/7. There will be periods where the traffic needs to be held in both directions for up to 30 minutes. This is due to the nature of the work which may see rocks falling onto the road.  Work is expected to be complete by mid April.

· SH3 Awakino Gorge: Multiple maintenance activities will take place from Monday 29 April until Friday 3 May. Road closures will take place between 10am and 2pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with stop/go traffic management in place between 6am and 6pm outside closure hours. Delays of 15-20 minutes are expected during periods where stop/go traffic management is in place.

· SH3 Mt Messenger: From 7pm on Friday 5 April to 4am on Monday 8 April SH3 Mt Messenger will be closed for resurfacing. There will be scheduled openings to clear traffic queues. Outside this time, road users can expect stop/go traffic management at night from 6pm to 6am between Tuesday 2 April and Friday 19 April, with delays expected of up to 30 minutes. Road users are encouraged to plan ahead. 

· SH3 Te Ara Tutohu Waitara to Bell Block: Until mid-June, Princess Street will be closed between SH3 and Armstrong Avenue to everyone except residents while roadworks continue. People travelling to or from Waitara via Princess Street will need to use Nelson Street or Bayly Street. Those wanting to access Princess Street west from Princess Street east (Tikorangi side) will need to use Bayly Street. Both lanes of SH3 are open, and a temporary roundabout will be in place at the Princess Street and SH3 intersection, with the current traffic lights removed. The roundabout is expected to be complete by mid-2024. More information. 

· SH4 Paroparowhero Culvert Replacement: Work to repair damage from heavy rainfall on SH4 north of Taumarunui, between the intersection of SH43 and Okahukura Bridge Road will continue until June 2024. The repair work involves a temporary road to maintain traffic flow under 24/7 e-light stop/go controls, while crews install a 3.5 x 4 metre box culvert. Please drive carefully and follow all temporary speed restrictions in place. Oversize loads are asked to take alternative routes where possible. Road users are asked to plan ahead for delays of up to 15 minutes in this area.

· SH4 Hakiaha Street: Road resurfacing in Taumarunui continues from Sunday 14 April, taking approximately three weeks to complete. During this time crews will work 24/7, with a single lane closure in place between River road and Turaki Street. Southbound traffic will continue to use SH4, and northbound traffic will be detoured via Turaki Street, Miriama Street and River Road. 

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:

· 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)