While the focus for maintenance contractors across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region has turned to reactive activities, a number of infrastructure projects are being delivered across the region.

From the considerable Takitimu North Link to the smaller scale slip repairs near Kāwhia and Te Kūiti, it’s all about keeping people moving, says NZTA Regional Manager Maintenance & Operations, Roger Brady.

“Providing a state highway network that is safe and accessible is our core focus. On top of this we are tasked with delivering improvements to the network that create more efficient travel and improve road user experience.

“With 93 per cent of all freight delivered by road, we have a responsibility to keep the country moving and economically successful through the road transport system.

"Over time a number of key projects across the region will unlock greater potential for businesses, while also providing safer and better journeys.

“Alongside this type of work, maintenance of the state highway network is important every day of the year. During the colder and wetter months that we are in now, we will see issues like potholes appearing, along with weather events causing flooding or slips."

During the winter it is just as important to plan ahead as it is during summer, says Roger.

“Instead of having the beach towel, togs and sunscreen handy at all times, it’s about ensuring you have the right equipment should the weather turn for the worse.

"Ensuring you have a wet weather jacket, snacks and water will ensure you are prepared should you be caught out while travelling.

“Finally, always check the Journey Planner (journeys.nzta.govt.nz) and MetService (metservice.com) websites before heading out, so you know what conditions you will experience on your journey.

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 in place on Minden Road over the next few weeks for utility works. There will be stop/go in place for watermain works along Loop Road, there will be a reduced speed limit of 30km/h in place. Work will start on Monday 31 May from 7.30am each day and will continue through to Friday. 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

·       SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road (TDTR): From Sunday 26 May through to and including the night of Thursday 30 May, the southbound lane will be closed overnight, 8.30pm to 5am. Motorists should expect uneven surfaces and a 30km/h reduced speed limit during the day. A detour is available for all traffic via SH2, Moffat Road then Cambridge Road. 

·       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

·       SH2 Bay Link: On Wednesday 29 May and Thursday 30 May (from approximately 7pm to 6am each night), Matapihi Road westbound (between Owens Place and the railway line) will be closed for asphalting. Stop/go will be in place and minor delays can be expected for people travelling to/from Matapihi. Businesses on Owens Place and Matapihi Road will remain accessible during their normal trading hours. More Information

·       SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road: Construction of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange, a Tauranga City Council-led project, is progressing. To keep crew and drivers safe, a 2km section of the left eastbound lane, just ahead of the Kaituna River bridge is closed, with a 70km/h speed limit in place on the open lane. The new interchange is scheduled to complete mid-2026. 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: Flexible median barrier is being installed in Athenree Gorge (north of Katikati) due to be complete by the end of June. There will be lane shifts in place with speed restrictions and intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause some delays. Service relocations are underway between Sharp Road and Wright Road, with lane and shoulder closures are in place, and daytime temporary speed restrictions. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management which may cause longer delays. Please follow the temporary signs and directions of the traffic management team and watch for layout changes. Between Lund Road and Wright Road service relocations are taking place, shoulder closures are in place with intermittent stop/go which may cause delays. 

·       SH2 Apata Curves: Road widening works are underway. Contra flow is in place with speed restrictions. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management in place which may cause longer delays. 

·       SH2/Pahoia Road: Safety improvements are 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 Western Bay of Plenty District Council-led Ōmokoroa intersection upgrade project. 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. Traffic management, including shoulder closures and mobile operations, will take place during off-peak hours throughout the day; for oversized truck movements, minor traffic delays are expected. Due to weather delaying some of the installation of barrier and guard rail night works this week, the team will continue these works next week on Sunday 26 May and Monday 27 May, from approximately 8pm to 5am each night. Stop/go 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 will be in place. Access to Redwood Lane and Belk Road will remain open for the duration of the works. This work is weather dependent. Once installation is complete, a temporary 70km/h speed limit will be in place. One lane in each direction will be available at all times, shoulders will be closed, and the lanes will operate at a reduced width. Access in and out of Redwood Lane will remain available, the left turn slip lanes into Redwood Lane and Belk Road will be closed, the right turn bay into Redwood Lane will remain open. Delays are expected for SH29 traffic and minor delays for Redwood Lane traffic. More information.

·       SH2 Paengaroa: Work to recover crane machinery from the stream that runs beside SH2 near Mends Lane will take place on Thursday 30 May between 7am and 3pm. There will be stop/go in place whilst the recovery takes place.

·       SH2 Ōtamarākau: Work is underway on SH2 near the intersection of Old Coach Road, Ōtamarākau, to implement safety improvements, including a side barrier and median barrier 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.  

Rotorua

·       SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: SH30 Te Ngae Road will be closed for the night of Sunday 26 May, from 7.30pm to 5am between Ōwhata Road and Iles Road, to allow safety improvements to be completed. A detour via Vaughan Road and Ōwhata Road will be in place. Access to local residents will be available at all times. Noise and vibration are associated with these works. Refer to the VMS boards for a confirmation of date and time. These works are weather dependent and may alter.  Temporary traffic management along this section will be reduced until the final resurfacing later in the year when the sealing season starts up again and the overnight temperatures are warmer.  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. Temporary traffic management is in place including stop/go, lane shifts, shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. More information

·       SH30/33 Te Ngae Junction: Minor remedial works are being completed next week on the SH30/33 Te Ngae Junction roundabout. Temporary traffic management will be in place, including a stop/go, shoulder closures and reduced speed limits. We expect this work to take up to 1 week (weather permitting). Minor delays are expected.

Eastern Bay of Plenty

·       SH2 Waioeka Gorge: Contractors have completed the underslip repairs and will leave the worksites at Oponae and near Goldsmiths Reserve (approximately 4 kms north of Oponae) from Friday 24 May, returning in 2 weeks to complete the road surface repair and guardrail work from Monday 10 June.

·       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. There is 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

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) and on SH2 from Napier to Tūtira. More information.  

Manawatū-Whanganui

·       SH3 Whangaehu: Bridge strengthening and painting works are taking place on SH3 at Whangaehu River bridge, south of Whanganui between 7.30am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. Stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h speed limit will be in place until late June. 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 the end of June 2024. More information.

East Waikato

·       SH25 Coromandel: Ongoing recovery works to repair damage caused by last summer’s severe weather. The road is reduced to a single lane at Ruamahuna Bay, as slip stabilisation continues. Further worksites include Te Kouma, Pumpkin Hill and Whiritoa Hill. Stop/go traffic management will be in place at these locations. More information.

·       SH2 Karangahake Gorge: Work is 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. Work will take between 4 and 6 weeks, depending on the weather. 

·       SH27 Kaihere: Work is underway to repair an underslip on Kaihere Hill. 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. The temporary speed limit has been lifted to 70km/h between the bridge and the Mercury Road intersection. Stop/go remains in place 8am-5pm weekdays for asphalt works.

·       SH1 Maroa Road: Finishing works are underway on the 4.8km site where safety barriers were installed last year. 

·       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 Waikato Expressway - Te Rapa Bypass: Drivers are advised to plan ahead for ramp closures as resurfacing on the Te Rapa section of SH1C expressway continues. The northbound on and off ramps at Koura Drive will be closed until late May 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.

·       SH1C Cobham Drive – ramp closures: From Monday 27 May the on and off ramps at the intersection of SH1C Cobham Drive and Wairere Drive near the Hamilton Gardens will be closed from 9am to 7pm for up to 5 days. The ramps are being closed to allow for asphalt surfacing and other minor works. Traffic wanting to access Wairere Drive from the Expressway are advised to use Galloway Street and Naylor Street if heading east and Cambridge Road if heading west. The same detours apply in reverse for traffic wanting to join SH1C from Wairere Drive. In the event of bad weather further closures may be required from Tuesday 4 June.

·       SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngāruawāhia section: Safety improvements and remedial works continue with traffic managed through the site with single lanes, there are temporary speed limits of 80km/h and a 50km/h through various sections. 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, which is currently closed for this work. Following this we'll begin 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. Due to poor weather, further night shifts are required, and will continue to occur from 7pm to 6am, Sunday to Thursday, with stop/go traffic management in place until mid-June. 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

·       SH31 Oparu: Due to slip maintenance taking place near Harbour Road on SH31, traffic management will be in place until the end of July 2024.

·       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 mid-June.

·       SH1 Pokeno: There will be a full northbound closure between the Pōkeno northbound off-ramp and on-ramp but the ramps are still open from Sunday 26 to Thursday 30 May between 9pm and 5am. Please use the recommended detour via McDonald Road, Gateway Park Drive, Hitchen Road and Great South Road. Traffic travelling to SH2 will need to use this detour and turn around at SH1 Nikau Road to travel southbound to the SH2 link. There will also be southbound lane restrictions between the Pokeno Road southbound off-ramp and on-ramp due to moveable barrier installation. Please slow down and follow traffic management instructions. Work will be ongoing until 30 May. 

·       SH1 Nikau Road to Bombay Interchange: There will be a full northbound closure on Tuesday 28 May between 9pm and 5am to undertake multiple maintenance activities. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes.  

·       SH2 Pendergrast Road to Steen Road: Stop/go traffic management will be in place at multiple locations on SH2 from Sunday 26 to Thursday 30 May between 9pm and 5am for stormwater maintenance.

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/TransportAgency

Twitter: twitter.com/WakaKotahi_news

Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz

Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)