State highway roadwork crews are switching to winter maintenance mode, with the aim of getting the roading network safe for the colder, wetter months. 

With temperatures dropping this week, the focus starts to turn to routine maintenance activities and responding to issues that appear over time, especially during and after weather events.

This can include road closures due to slips, flooding or other factors, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Waikato Bay of Plenty Maintenance and Operations Regional Manager Roger Brady.

“While most of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty doesn’t experience heavy snow, we do get heavy frosts. Frosts tend to be more severe at daybreak, so be prepared for this," says Roger.

"Take care in shaded areas where roads freeze sooner, and ice may not thaw during the day. Bridges may also stay slippery for longer than other road surfaces, so slow down when crossing them."

This week, on the State Highway 29 Kaimai Range a series of overnight road closures have been scheduled, allowing contractors to deliver essential maintenance in a more effective manner.  

“This is a new way of working in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region. The next full closure is taking place from Sunday 19 May through to Wednesday 22 May from 8pm to 3.30am,” says Roger.

“Previously we have accommodated vehicles when working on this corridor. Closing the road gives us better outcomes; we can finish the work quicker and improve safety for both crews on site and road users.” 

The following timetable of upcoming road closures on SH29 is current as at the time of issuing. Closures may be re-scheduled in the event of bad weather.    

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

Bay of Plenty 

Tauranga 

· Takitimu North Link Stage 1: Earthworks are underway across a number of sites. There will be stop/go in place and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h. The temporary haul road, separated from SH2 in the Te Mete Valley area, will be disestablished over the next couple of weeks. The temporary speed limit in this area is 60km/h. Traffic management will be out on Minden Road over the next few weeks for utility works. 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. More information 

· Cambridge/Moffat roads: 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 and temporary speed limits are in place for the closed section of Cambridge Road East. More Information  

· SH29 Tauriko/Redwood Lane: Work continues on Redwood Lane and on SH29 south of Belk Road and north of Redwood Lane as part of the SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works project. From Monday 13 May to Friday 17 May, during off-peak hours between 9am and 4pm only, there will be shoulder closures and a closure of the left-hand turning lane at Redwood Lane. Access to Redwood Lane will remain open for the duration of the works. From Sunday 19 May to Thursday 23 May, from 8pm to 5am (approx.) each night, there will be works to install semi-permanent  
guardrails and barriers. There will be a stop/go in place and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h on SH29 (between south of Belk Road and north of Redwood Lane), and on Redwood Lane and Belk Road at the intersection with SH29. Access to Redwood Lane and Belk Road will remain open for the duration of the works. This work is weather dependent. More information.  

· SH2 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui: Road rebuilding and resurfacing is underway on SH2 Hewletts Road until Tuesday 21 May. This work is being carried out at night between 8.30pm and 5.30am from Sunday to Thursday each week. There will be detours or lane closures in place for different phases of this work. More information. 

· SH2 Bay Link: From Sunday 12 May to Tuesday 14 May and on Friday 17 May (from approximately 7pm to 5am each night), overnight road closures will apply on SH2 Hewletts Road flyover southbound, Maunganui Road southbound (between Golf Road roundabout and Concord Avenue) and Maunganui Road northbound (between SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange and Bayfair roundabout). Vehicle and pedestrian access for Maunganui Road residents and businesses between Golf Road and Concord Avenue will be maintained.  

On Tuesday, May 14 (from approximately 7pm to 5am), Truman Lane eastbound between SH29A roundabout and Baypark will be closed. A signposted detour via SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange, Tauranga Eastern Link, Sandhurst interchange and Mangatawa Link Road will apply for all vehicles. 

On Wednesday, May 15 (from approximately 7pm to 5am), Maunganui Road northbound between SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange and Bayfair roundabout will be closed. A signposted detour via Sandhurst interchange, SH2, the Bayfair flyover and Golf Road roundabout will apply for all vehicles. Closures will vary night to night, depending on site requirements and progress. nzta.govt.nz/baylink-traffic  

· SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road From Monday 13 May, a 2km section of the eastbound left lane, just ahead of the Kaituna River bridge, will be closed to allow construction of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange to progress. A temporary 70km/h speed limit will be in place. The Tauranga City Council project is scheduled to finish mid-2026. To set up the lane closure, the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road eastbound lanes will be closed over 3 nights. Between 8pm and 5am, from Monday 13 May to Wednesday 15 May, traffic heading east to Rotorua and Whakatāne will be diverted via the Te Puke Highway. More information. 

· 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 August 2024, with 1 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 significant activities including nighttime stop/go for asphalt works. There will also be daytime intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays.

In Athenree Gorge (north of Katikati) 3.8km of flexible median barrier is being installed, due to be complete by the end of May. There will be lane shifts in place with speed restrictions and intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause some delays. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team and watch for layout changes.

Service relocations are underway between Lund Road and Wright Road, shoulder closures are in place with daytime speed restrictions. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team and watch for layout changes. 

· 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.  

· 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 Range: The Kaimai Range will be closed overnight from Sunday 19 May to Wednesday 22 May, from 8pm to 3.30am to allow road resurfacing and maintenance to take place. The closure points on the western side of the Kaimai Range are at the SH29/24 and SH29/28 intersections and on the eastern side of the Kaimai Range at the SH29/Cambridge Road intersection.

Detours are available for all vehicles southbound via Rotorua and northbound via the Karangahake Gorge. Emergency services will have access at all times, residents can access their property from the relevant side of the closure. More information.  

Rotorua 

· SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: SH30 Te Ngae Road will be closed overnight on Tuesday 14 May from 7.30pm to 5am, between Ōwhata and Basley Roads, for asphalting. Through-traffic and all heavy vehicles will be detoured via Vaughan and Ōwhata roads.

Overnight on Wednesday, May 15 from 7.30pm, linemarking will take place under a mobile operation/rolling block. Temporary traffic management may also include stop/go and speed restrictions.

Minor delays are expected. Noise and vibration are associated with these works. These works are weather dependent. Refer to the VMS boards for confirmed dates.

The bus stop outside 473 SH30 Te Ngae Road is closed while construction is underway on new bus stop foundations. The nearest operational bus stop is on SH30 / Te Ngae Road – 50m towards Basley Road. Daywork will be ongoing to complete work in the area.

Temporary traffic management is in place including shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. More information.   

· SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Approximately 6km north of Ōkere Falls on SH33, pavement construction is underway and minor traffic delays can be expected. Other work includes road widening, installing safety barriers and improving drainage. 24/7 traffic signals are in place until mid-May. Temporary traffic management is in place including stop/go, lane shifts, shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. More information 

Eastern Bay of Plenty 

· SH2 Ōtamarākau: Work is expected to begin shortly on SH2 near the intersection of Old Coach Road, Ōtamarākau, to install median barrier and additional safety improvements through this section of state highway. This work will be completed in stages across 3-4 weeks, depending on weather. Road users should expect minor delays through this area while the work is completed. Temporary speed restrictions will be in place and at times parts of SH2 and Old Coach Road will be reduced to a single lane with stop go traffic management to enable this work to be done safely.

· SH2 Waioeka Gorge: Work to repair 2 underslips in the Waioeka Gorge is ongoing until late May. 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). 

· SH34 Kawerau – Tarawera River bridge walkway: Upgrades to the walkway over the Tarawera River in Kawerau continue until the end of June. The old walkway is being demolished and a new steel walkway will be built. During construction there will be stop/go in place between 6.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, when there is no work taking place on site traffic signals will be operating. Scaffolding will be in place under the bridge, so the waterway can be protected, and workers can be kept safe during construction. More information 

· SH30 Otakiri: A daytime road closure is required on SH30 between Onepu Spring Road and Military Road in Otakiri on Monday 13 May from 6.30am to 6.30pm. This will allow KiwiRail to undertake resurfacing maintenance on railway tracks that cross the state highway. A detour will be in place for all traffic, which is expected to add up to 20 minutes to journey times. Light vehicles will detour via SH34 and Onepu Spring Road. Heavy vehicles will detour via SH34 to SH30. While this work takes place work on the SH34 Kawerau, Tarawera River bridge walkway will be put on hold for the day to allow detoured traffic to travel through Kawerau without disruption. 

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. While this work takes place, there will be stop/go traffic management, traffic reduced to one lane, and temporary 30km/h and 50km/h speed limits from 7am to 6pm. Temporary speed restrictions will also remain in place at night in some areas. Overall, please expect cumulative delays of up to 40 minutes if travelling the whole of SH5 (Napier to Taupō). More information. 

Manawatū-Whanganui 

· SH3 Whangaehu: Bridge strengthening and painting works are taking place on SH3 at Whangaehu River bridge, south of Whanganui. From Tuesday 7 May, between 7.30am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h speed limit will be in place for about 7 weeks. Delays of up to 10 minutes are expected. This bridge strengthening work requires traffic vibration to be minimised and it’s crucial all temporary speed limits are adhered to. 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 Te Kouma, Pumpkin Hill and Whiritoa Hill. Stop/go traffic management will be in place at these locations. More information.  

· SH25A: New signage and hazard warning signs, improved road markings and audio tactile profiles (rumble strips) are being installed along SH25A to make the road safer. This work will be completed in late May with stop/go traffic management in place.   

· SH25 Hikuai: SH25 will be closed overnight to all traffic from Sunday 19 May, for 5 nights between 8pm and 6am each night, to allow for essential maintenance and repairs to the single lane Hikuai Stream bridge, just south of Tairua. Affected road users will need to detour via SH25, looping through Coromandel township. Work includes digging out and replacing capping beams - components that span the full width of the road at each end of the bridge. Steel plates will be placed over these excavations, and a temporary speed restriction will be in place, to allow traffic to cross safely during the day. Other work being done includes resurfacing the eastern approach to the bridge and repairs to the bridge deck. This work is weather dependent, and dates may need to change if there is wet weather.   

· SH25 Ruamahunga: Slip stabilisation continues. Equipment and supplies are being delivered to the top of the slope by helicopter on a regular basis with the next delivery on Tuesday 14 May. This will require a series of short road closures so the helicopter can safely operate over the road and will be done across the middle of the day.   

· SH2 Karangahake Gorge: Work is now underway to repair an underslip opposite Victoria Battery, road users should allow extra time as delays can be expected. The road will usually be reduced to a single lane with stop/go traffic management and a speed restriction in place while work is being done. Two-way traffic will be in place for this weekend, to allow for holiday traffic volumes. Work will take between 4 and 6 weeks, depending on the weather. 

· SH27 Kaihere: Work is underway to repair an underslip, this is expected to take between 4 and 6 weeks to complete 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. 

Central Waikato 

· SH1 Ātiamuri: Road widening is underway for safety barrier installation, from the Waikato River bridge south to Thorpe Road. There is currently stop/go in place for asphalt works, from Monday to Wednesday, 8am-5pm finishing on Wednesday 15 May. 

· SH1 Maroa Road: Finishing works are underway on the 4.8km site where safety barriers were installed last year. There will be no traffic management for the week commencing 13 May.  

· SH1 East Taupō Arterial: Road widening continues ahead of flexible safety barrier installation, between SH5/Napier Road and the airport roundabout. One lane is open in each direction with speed restrictions in place. Completion is expected 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 in June and will take 3-4 weeks to complete. 

West Waikato

· SH1C Te Rapa Bypass: Drivers are advised to plan ahead for ramp closures as resurfacing on the Te Rapa section of SH1C expressway continues. From Monday 13 May the northbound on and off ramps at Koura Drive will be closed for up to 2 weeks to allow for resurfacing on the ramps and northbound lanes. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction and shifted on to the southbound lanes with speed restrictions in place.  More information. 

· 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 will be night-time closures and a detour in place for northbound traffic 19-23 May, 7pm-5am. More information. 

· 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 underway. Along with constructing the turnaround bay, we’re widening the road at the weigh station on SH1, between Hickey and Hydro Roads, and installing median and side safety barriers. Temporary traffic management is in place, including a shoulder closure. More information 

· SH1 Karāpiro: Work continues on a section of SH1 between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road, where median barrier is being installed. Motorists are advised to prepare for possible congestion when travelling through the site. Night shifts are currently occurring from 7pm to 6am, Sunday to Thursday, with stop/go traffic management in place until mid to late May. Day works continue from Monday to Friday, with a temporary speed limit of 50km/h in place. Work is on track to be completed by late June 2024.  More information. 

· SH1/SH29 Piarere intersection: A key focus at present is the construction of the southern (Tīrau side) approach road. To safely accommodate this work, traffic south of the roundabout has been moved onto a newly constructed section of road adjacent to SH1. This is a short bypass road which rejoins SH1 before the intersection and continues to operate as normal. This arrangement is expected to remain in place until September 2024. 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 around the project site to protect road workers and ensure the safety of everyone travelling through the area. More information.  

· SH23 Raglan: Daytime stop/go traffic management is in place just outside Raglan, at the corner of Greenslade Road and SH23. This is to allow an embankment adjacent to the road to be stabilised and is expected to be completed by Monday 20 May. The weekday stop/go traffic management will be in place between 9am and 3pm, with delays of up to 10 minutes expected. Outside of these times and over weekends the road will be fully open, with shoulder closures and speed restrictions in place.  

· 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 

· SH1 Pioneer Road (North): The Pioneer Road northbound off-ramp remains closed. Motorists should continue on SH1 and exit at Pōkeno northbound off-ramp, turn around at McDonald Road and head south using Pōkeno southbound on-ramp on SH1 to get off at Pioneer Road (South). Slip repairs will be ongoing until Friday 31 May. 

· SH1 Pokeno: The installation of removeable barriers to improve network reliability and help keep traffic moving in the event of incident or breakdown on the motorway will take place from Sunday 12 May to Tuesday 28 May from 9pm to 5am each night. While the work is being carried out there will be a full northbound closure between the Pokeno northbound off-ramp and Pokeno northbound on-ramp. There will also be a full southbound closure between Pokeno southbound off-ramp and Pokeno southbound on-ramp on both Sunday 12 May and Tuesday 28 May between 9pm and 5am. 

· SH1 Dragway Road to Island Block Road: There will be a full northbound closure on Thursday 16 May between 9pm and 5am to allow line marking to take place. 

· SH1 Nikau Road: From Sunday 5 to Thursday 9 May between 9pm and 5am there will be a full northbound closure to undertake barrier work between the Nikau Road northbound off-ramp and on-ramp, however the ramps are still open A detour between ramps is available via Ridge Road. There will also be southbound lane restrictions, however traffic will still be able to travel south under traffic management supervision. Work will be ongoing until 16 May.  

· SH2 Maramarua: From Dimmock Road to Steen Road stop/go traffic management will be in place on Thursday 16 May between 9pm and 5am for line marking to take place. 

· SH2 Maramarua: From Steen Road to the SH25 Roundabout top/go traffic management will be in place on Wednesday 15 May between 9pm and 5am to allow for road inspections to take place. 

Taranaki 

· 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. Crews are now ready to start on the final pieces of work for the roundabout and pedestrian underpass. This will include completing the roundabout itself, installing streetlights on SH3, and laying down asphalt. To allow this work to take place safely and efficiently, the temporary roundabout at the SH3/Princess Street intersection has been removed and the road reduced to one lane until mid-June 2024. During this time stop/go traffic management will be in place, road users are advised to expect delays of up to 5 minutes. A temporary 30km/h speed limit will be in place at all times. The roundabout is expected to be complete by mid-2024. More information. 

· SH3 Waitara Road, Bell Block: From Monday 13 May there will be a 50km/h temporary speed limit in place on SH3 through the intersections with Waitara Road and Raleigh Street and on Raleigh Street from the intersection of SH3 through to the intersection with Tate Road. SH3 will remain open to two lanes of traffic at all times. There will be no right turn into Raleigh Street. Tate Road, from the intersection with Raleigh Street through to SH3, will be closed to everyone except residents. This will allow workers to complete necessary work on the road in preparation for it connecting with the roundabout. All properties on SH3, Raleigh Street and Tate Road will be accessible for residents during these works. 

· 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. 
 
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/NZTAWaikatoBoP 

· Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahiWaiBP 

· Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz 

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