Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises the planned detour for Ngongotahā bound traffic is delayed until Tuesday 11 May, weather permitting, due to unsuitable weather conditions for sealing the new State Highway 5 slip lane.
Contractors have been working hard to get the slip lane road surface prepared so it could be sealed in time for the detour. The cooler weather has meant it’s too damp to proceed and the surface needs to be left over the weekend before being sealed on Monday.
If it’s still too damp on Monday, our contractors will lay a temporary seal to allow the detour to go ahead Tuesday and limit any more delays to the programme. If our contractors have to lay a temporary seal, they will go back when the weather is better suited for laying new road surface, possibly October.
In the meantime, our contractors are focused on Tuesday as the ‘go live’ day for the detour and we apologise for any confusion caused.
Western Road detour map [PDF, 181 KB]
From Tuesday 11 May a short section of State Highway 36 will be closed, with people travelling from Rotorua to Ngongotahā, Hamurana and Tauranga detoured via State Highway 5 and Western Road.
The detour does not affect southbound traffic heading into Rotorua.
This work will be clearly signposted to assist road users in knowing where to go.
To help with traffic flow the new SH5/SH36 roundabout free flow (slip) lane will be opened and two temporary roundabouts installed - one at the SH5/Western Road turnoff and one in Ngongotahā Village at the SH36/Western Road intersection. Manual traffic control may also be in place at times.
While the detour is in place there will be extra traffic along Western Road. The detour will be monitored to ensure traffic is flowing and adjusted if necessary.
The changes are expected to be in place for up to six weeks.
Motorists are asked to take extra care while the detour is in place, especially at the Ngongotahā Village end.
Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience during this time.
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