Heavy traffic is expected in the holiday hotspots today as people head home from King's Birthday Weekend. 

“Bay of Plenty motorists should be prepared for heavy traffic on State Highway 2, between Paeroa and Waihī, Tauranga and Katikati and SH29 over the Kaimai Range,” says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations, Roger Brady. 

“In Waikato, delays are predicted on SH1 between Tīrau and Cambridge, SH2 from Pokeno to Maramarua. We expect heavier than usual traffic around the Coromandel Peninsula on SH25, particularly near Tairua. 

“There are a number of things people can do to ensure they have a relaxed, safe journey. These include checking your vehicle is safe to drive before you leave; being patient while on the road; slowing down; taking regular breaks to stay alert and keeping a safe following distance while on the road.

“We love seeing road users making the most of the long weekend and chance for a road trip – make it a road trip to remember and return home safely,” says Roger.

Roger says now it’s winter, and while it’s darker and often wet, it’s a good time to consider how the change of season can affect driving conditions.

"Please take care, don’t rush and drive to the conditions.  

"Finally, check the NZTA Journey Planner (journeys.nzta.govt.nz) before leaving home to ensure you have the latest information on the state highway network.    
 
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 4 June from 7.30am each day and will continue through to Friday. On Harrison Road near Cambridge Road, there will be stop go from Tuesday to Friday 7.30am to 5pm for trucks to transport mulch and plants.  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): Resurfacing continues on the southbound lane (from Tauranga to Tauriko) for 3 nights from Tuesday 4 June. The road will be closed to all traffic overnight from 8.30pm to 5am each night. 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 Tauranga Harbour bridge: On Monday 3 June for 1 week, the outside westbound lane will be closed on the Tauranga Harbour bridge to allow contractors to install scaffolding for upcoming repairs to the fender structures and general concrete repair work. Traffic management will be in place at night while the installation is taking place. 

· SH2 Bay Link: From Wednesday 5 June to Friday 7 June (from approximately 8pm or later to 5am each night), Maunganui Road southbound between Concord Avenue and Bayfair roundabout will be closed. A signposted detour will be available via Concord Avenue, Oceanbeach Road and Girven Road. From Friday 7 June to Sunday 9 June (from approximately 7pm to 5am each night), Maunganui Road northbound (from SH2/SH29A Te Maunga interchange to Bayfair roundabout) will be closed. For SH2 traffic a signposted detour will be available via SH2/Bayfair flyover and the Golf Road roundabout. For SH29A traffic wishing to access the Bayfair and Matapihi area a detour will be available via SH2 Sandhurst interchange, SH2 Bayfair flyover and the Golf Road roundabout. This work is weather dependent, and closures will vary night to night, depending on site requirements and progress. More Information 

· SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road: From Monday 10 June, a 2km section of the westbound left lane, just past the Kaituna River bridge, will be closed to allow construction of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange to progress. This means the left-hand lanes in both directions will now be closed with a temporary 70km/h speed limit in place through the work section. To set up the additional lane closure, the westbound direction of the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road will be closed over three nights. From Monday 10 June to Wednesday 12 June, between 8pm and 5am, traffic heading west to Tauranga 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: 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 Lund 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 be in place during daytime off-peak hours for oversized truck movements. Minor traffic delays are expected. On Monday 10 June and Tuesday 11 June from approximately 8pm to 5am (approx.) stop/go and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h on SH29 (between south of Belk Road and north of Redwood Lane), and on Belk Road at the intersection with SH29 will be in place. Access to Belk Road and Redwood Lane will remain open for the duration of the works. This work is weather dependent. The semi-permanent traffic management including barriers and guard rails are now in place with a temporary 70km/h speed limit on SH29. The left turn slip lanes into Redwood Lane and Belk Road are now closed, the right turn bay into Redwood Lane remains open. People are asked to drive and cycle with extra care through the SH29/Redwood Lane and Belk Road area while people adjust to the new traffic management and the reduced speed limit of 70km/h More information. 

· 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: 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

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 continue 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 Pumpkin Hill and Whiritoa Hill. Stop/go traffic management will be in place at these locations. More information.  

· SH25A Coromandel: Scaffolding used during maintenance work on the Kaituna Stream bridge is to be removed. This work will start Tuesday 4 June and is expected to take 3 days to complete.  The road will be reduced to a single lane with stop/go traffic management in place between 7am and 5pm while this is done. 

· SH2 Karangahake Gorge: Work continues to repair an underslip opposite Victoria Battery. 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. Traffic will be restored to two lanes for the Kings Birthday holiday weekend. Work will take up to 5 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. 

· SH27 Matamata: From Sunday 16 June for 2 weeks there will be a road closure on SH27 Firth Street, Matamata between Short Street and Ratcliffe Street. Work will take place at night from 8pm to 5am each night from Thursday to Sunday. During the day there will be temporary traffic management in place with a reduced speed limit of 30km/h. There will be detours available for all vehicles.

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.  There will be stop/go in place on Tuesday and Wednesday, 4-5 June, 8am-5pm.  

· 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: Over King’s Birthday weekend all SH1C Te Rapa on and off ramps will be open. Resurfacing work is scheduled at the southern end of the Te Rapa section but is weather dependent, this would see the section that is one lane in each direction extended further under traffic management. Once King’s Birthday weekend has passed, work will resume at the northern end of the Te Rapa section, with the Horotiu northbound offramp closed for up to 2 weeks and traffic reduced to one lane in each direction and shifted on to the southbound lanes with speed restrictions in place. This closure is weather dependent and may be postponed in the event of wet weather.  More information. 

· SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngāruawāhia section: Safety improvements and remedial works continue with traffic managed through the site with single lanes. Within the current work site there is a temporary speed limit of 80km/h for 2-lane sections, speeds are further reduced to 70km/h and 50km/h for 1-lane sections. More information.  

· Mystery Creek Fieldays:  From Wednesday 12 and Saturday 15 of June, roads around Mystery Creek south of Hamilton will be heavily congested due to the National Fieldays event. For people travelling in and around the Waikato state highway network, alternative routes and travel arrangements are recommended between 10 – 16 June. More information about alternative routes will be shared closer to the time. 

· SH26 Ruakura: On Sunday 9 June between 8pm and 6am guardrail repairs will take place on the northbound on-ramp at Ruakura, stop/stop will be in place, motorists can expect delays of up to 20 minutes. 

· SH1 ōhinewai interchange: On Monday 10 June between 8pm and 6am guardrail repairs will take place on the southbound on-ramp at the ōhinewai interchange. Stop/stop will be in place both nights, motorists can expect delays of up to 20 minutes. 

· 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’ve widened the road at the weigh station on SH1, between Hickey and Hydro Roads, and will be installing median and side safety barriers. Night works will begin Tuesday 4 June to undertake line marking, followed by the barrier install. Stop/go traffic management will be in place throughout these night works, which are expected to be completed by the end of June. More information  

· SH1 Karāpiro: Work continues on a section of SH1 between Keeley’s Reserve and Moana Roa Road, where median barrier is currently being installed and will be followed by side barrier. 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 Kāwhia Road:  Slip repairs run for about 2 weeks from 17 June and require daytime closures. The road will be closed between 8am-5pm each weekday, however, will open for 30 minutes at 11am and 2pm each day. After hours and on weekends the site will be single lane with stop/go in place and a speed restriction. Another smaller repair job has started further west on SH31 near Kāwhia Harbour Road. There is a lane closure and stop/go and the occasional 5-minute closure to move machinery. Outside work hours the site is controlled by give way signs. 

· SH3 Awakino Hill, Te Kuiti: Urgent road repairs are required on Awakino Hill heading south out of Te Kuiti. On Wednesday 12 and Thursday 143 June work will take place during the day between 8.30am and 5pm, stop/go traffic management will be in place during the work.

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 Bombay interchange to Nikau Road: There will be a full southbound closure on Wednesday 5 June between 9pm and 5am to carry out maintenance activities. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes.  

· SH1 Nikau Road to Pokeno interchange: There will be a full southbound closure on Tuesday 4 June between 9pm and 5am to carry out maintenance activities. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes.  

· SH1 Pokeno interchange to Mercer interchange: There will be a full southbound closure on Monday 3 June between 10pm and 5am to carry out maintenance activities. Traffic will still be able to travel south using one of the northbound lanes.  

· SH1 Mercer interchange: The southbound on-ramp will be closed on Thursday 6 June between 9pm and 5am to carry out streetlight maintenance. Motorists should use Mercer northbound on-ramp and continue on SH1 and exit at Pokeno northbound off-ramp, turn around at McDonald Road to head south using Pokeno southbound on-ramp.    

· SH1 Hampton Downs to Island Block Road: There will be a full northbound closure on Wednesday 5 June between 9pm and 5am to undertake line marking. Traffic will still be able to travel north using one of the southbound lanes. 

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)