Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works for November 2023

3 November 2023 1:31 pm | Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

A recipe of heavy rain and high winds followed by fine weather has meant road maintenance contractors have had to utilise a range of skills this week to ensure the state highway network has been safe and accessible.

Contractors prepared well in advance of the rain event over the weekend, says Roger Brady, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Acting Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations.

“With the help of our partner MetService we were able to predict where and when the rain would appear. This helped us place crews in the right locations to manage any effects of the weather system. Thankfully on this occasion the impact to the state highway was minor, with isolated flooding in the usual locations on the Coromandel, and a few minor slips across the Waikato.

“Since the weather system passed, we have had a run of fine weather, and this has allowed our crews to get back into the renewals and rebuilding activities.

“We’ve seen some of our first road rebuilds completed recently, and it’s always nice to see the final outcome of a few weeks or months of hard mahi.”

The lead up to Christmas will see plenty of activity on the Waikato and Bay of Plenty roading network, says Mr Brady.

“We now have a couple of months before Christmas where we can hopefully push on and complete a significant portion of our programme. The more we do now the easier it will be after the Christmas and New Year break.

“This means people travelling across the region can expect roadworks on their route. It pays to plan ahead, and the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner is the best place for information on the status of the state highway network. With live updates on worksites and other road hazards, Journey Planner can help road users plot the best route to their destination.

Journey Planner(external link)

“Being informed ensures you can get to your destination on time.”

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga

Takitimu North Link Stage One: Earthworks have commenced across a number of sites. On Wairoa Road, stop/go traffic management will be in place while trucks are crossing Wairoa Road, and 30km/h speed limits will be in place at all times within the construction area. Work in this area will become more evident as we work towards completing the Wairoa Road Bridge in preparation of its opening. Minden Road has a 30km/h speed limit throughout the construction zone. A temporary haul road into the Te Mete Valley is being constructed to support the summer earthworks season. The single-lane haul road will be separated from SH2. Road users should be aware of the new road layout and temporary speed limit of 60km/h on SH2 alongside the haul road. More information(external link).
Western Tie-in (near Loop Road): From Monday 6 November construction is starting at the western tie-in of the project where Utilities need to be moved. SH2 will be reduced to 50km/hr in the area during this work, and the passing lane heading west will be removed to allow the crews to work on the side of the road.
Cambridge Road: Construction work to complete the new Cambridge Road overbridge, between Bethlehem and Tauriko continues. Work to connect the bridge with Cambridge and Moffat roads and utility services will be completed in three phases. Phase 1 involves building a diversion road allowing traffic to flow during these works. While these works take place there will be slower speed limits in place on Cambridge Road, shoulder closures and when necessary, stop/go traffic management. Traffic will be diverted onto the temporary diversion road from the week of 13 November 2023. A three-month closure of a section of Moffat Road near Tauranga Adventist School commences in January 2024. More information(external link).
Cambridge Road (East): Tauranga City Council continues slip repair work at Cambridge Road East near the St Andrews Drive roundabout. Cambridge Road is now one-lane only while the work is underway, drivers heading into the city detour via St Andrews Drive, Castlewold Drive and Wakefield Drive. Drivers coming from the city are to use Cambridge Road as usual. There is a 30km/h speed restriction past the work site. The slip was caused by recent weather and the repair team is progressing well with the construction of a retaining wall to help prevent future slips. During November, drainage works and road repair will be undertaken to restore the kerb and channel on Cambridge Road. The repair is expected to be completed in mid-December, weather dependent.
SH2 Bethlehem: Tauranga City Council will be replacing concrete barrier on the eastbound shoulder between Bethlehem Road and Waihi Road with guardrail, as part of the Beaumaris Boulevard flood mitigation works. Work commences on Sunday 12 November with a closure between the hours of 8pm and 6am to allow the installation of temporary barriers. Following this the shoulder will be closed for approximately three weeks, before a further single night closure to remove the temporary barriers. During the closure period eastbound vehicles will be detoured via Bethlehem Road, Carmichael Road, Millers Road, Bellevue Road and Waihi Road.
Totara Street: Tauranga City Council will be completing road construction on Totara Street, between Maui Street and Triton Avenue, in November. When work takes place traffic will be reduced to one lane (open for travel between Mount Maunganui and Hewletts Road). Totara Street will be closed to ALL traffic heading to Mount Maunganui from Hewletts Road, with a detour via Newton Road. More information(external link).
SH2 Maunganui Road: Construction commences Monday 6 November on two pedestrian maze crossings. Work is expected to be complete by late January 2024, during this time there will be lane closures for periods of time, more information on these will be provided in due course.
SH2 Bay Link: People travelling between Baypark and Bayfair will continue to see several road layout changes over the next few months with the project nearing completion. Closures will vary night to night, depending on site requirements and progress, and people are asked to allow extra time, follow signposted detours and drive with caution through the project site. To minimise impact, works are undertaken at night where possible with the aim to minimise disruption to people travelling through the area. More information(external link).
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 Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (TELTR): Traffic management for the Tauranga City Council led Pāpāmoa East Interchange construction project has been removed until construction of the interchange itself commences in early 2024. More detail will be shared closer to the time. More information(external link).
The Quayside Properties Ltd led Rangiuru Business Park Interchange project continues. Temporary barriers have been installed on both sides of the TELTR, and these will be 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(external link).

Western Bay of Plenty

SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Lane shifts and speed reductions are in place at four intersections (Sharp Road, Lockington Road / Matahui Road, Pahoia Road, Omokoroa Road) while testing activity and roundabout construction takes place. Road layout changes will occur as works progress. There will be intermittent stop/go traffic management which may cause longer delays, although typically there will be minor delays of one to two minutes. More information(external link).
SH2 Wairoa Cycleway: The Tauranga City Council cycleway construction continues with work taking place both under the Wairoa bridge and in the on-road shoulder at night, with some stop/go traffic management planned for various nights over the coming weeks. The cycleway is due to be completed by mid-November 2023.
SH2 Pongakawa: Road rebuilding continues. Work is expected to be complete by mid-November, during this time stop/go traffic management and a westbound detour option via Pukehina Road, Old Coach Road and Pongakawa Station Road will be in place. Delays and additional travel time are expected.

Rotorua

SH36 Hamurana: Road resurfacing takes place at the intersection of SH36 and Hamurana Road from Sunday 5 November, taking approximately one week to complete. Stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place between the hours of 7pm and 5am each night.
SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: There are multiple active worksites on SH30 / Te Ngae Road between Iles Road and Ōwhata Road. In places there is stop/go, lane shifts and shoulder closures, temporary pedestrian crossings, footpath closures, and/or reduced speed limits. Nighttime road closure will be in place from Monday 6 November, and again from Sunday 12 to Thursday 16 November for road resurfacing. Closures will take place between 8pm and 5am each night, during this time through traffic will be diverted via Vaughan Road. Minor traffic delays are expected. Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at all times. More information(external link).
SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Work on the SH33 safety improvements project continues with contractors working on a 5km section of road between Sun Valley Curves and Maniatutu Road. Work includes widening of the road corridor, installing safety barriers and improving drainage. Temporary traffic management will be in place including stop/go, lights, lane shifts and shoulder closures while these works are underway. Minor traffic delays are expected. More information(external link).
SH30/33 Te Ngae Junction: Final line marking and sweeping of the new roundabout will take place when weather allows.

Eastern Bay of Plenty

SH2 Edgecumbe: Road rehabilitation continues near the Omeheu Canal. A full road closure is in place until mid-November, 7.30am to 4:30pm each weekday. HPMV vehicles to detour via SH30 and SH34, all other vehicles can use Main Street, Otakiri Road and SH34. Work is expected to be complete by late November.
SH33 Paengaroa: Road rebuilding commences Monday 20 November on a northbound uphill slow lane south of Paengaroa. Stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place for approximately four weeks, with work taking place between 6am and 6pm. Delays are expected.
SH33 Okere Falls: Road rebuilding commences Monday 6 November at an 800m section of road north of Okere Falls. Stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place for approximately six weeks, with work taking place between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Delays are expected.
SH30 Ruato Bay: Road rebuilding takes place from Tuesday 14 November, taking approximately three weeks to complete. During this time stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place between 7am and 6pm each weekday. Delays are expected, particularly when machinery is being moved across the road.
SH30 Rotoma: Road resurfacing takes place between Matahi Road and the western end of SH34, from Monday 13 November. Work is expected to take one week to complete, between the hours of 7am and 5pm each day. During this time the road will be closed, with a detour for all vehicles via SH33, SH2 and SH34.
SH5 Waimangu: Temporary traffic lights are in place at a slip site south of Tumunui. Drive with care and expect minor delays.
SH2 Waimana Gorge: Road rebuilding commences Monday 6 November, taking seven weeks to complete. Stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place during this time. Work will be complete by midday Friday 22 December.
SH2 Wainui to Ōpōtiki: Safety improvements between Parkinsons Road and Woodlands Road near Ōpōtiki continue. This work is expected to be complete in late 2023 (weather dependent). Works consists of shoulder widening and the installation of safety barriers. During this time road users can expect to see shoulder closures and/or stop/go operations in place, as required. Works will take place between 7am and 5pm each weekday. Please allow extra time for your journey as delays up to 10 minutes may be experienced.
SH2 Manganuku Bridge, Waioeka Gorge: Investigations are ongoing for the most effective way of repairing the bridge. The reduced speed limit of 30km/h for heavy vehicles will remain in place until further notice. Heavy vehicles must adhere to the speed limit as those travelling at higher speeds will exert greater loads on the structure, which currently poses a significant risk.

Tairāwhiti Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay

SH5 Napier – Taupō: Progress continues at a number of slip sites at the Hawke’s Bay end of SH5. Stop/go traffic management is in place at various sites, along with temporary speed limits. The road is expected to be reinstated to two lanes throughout by early November.

Manawatū-Whanganui

SH1 Taihape north: Road rebuild continues at a section of SH1 / Mataroa Road just north of Taihape. Night works will be in place between 6pm and 6am daily for seven weeks (weather permitting) between Goldfinch Street to just past Abattoir Road. Works are expected to be complete by mid-November. During works, SH1 will be reduced to one lane under stop/go, with a reduced speed limit in place. Delays of up to 10 minutes are expected.
SH1 Utiku: A ‘slow slip’ has resulted in cracking between Micklesons Road and Utiku South Road. A 30km/h temporary speed limit is in place through the area, along with a temporary re-alignment and narrowing of traffic lanes.
SH4 Te Oreore slip: Following a slip in 2019, a temporary road is in place at Te Oreore, with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place. Construction of three new retaining walls north of the main slip area are ongoing.

Waikato

East Waikato

SH25: Recovery works are underway at a number of sites, with temporary traffic management such as lane closures and stop/go along with reduced speed limits in place where required.
SH25 Thames: Road resurfacing commences on Sunday 12 November on SH25, south of the Goldfields shopping centre. The work will take place at night for two weeks, during this time stop/go traffic management will be in place, and from time-to-time side roads will be closed to help finish the work as quickly as possible. The affected side roads include Willoughby Street, Richmond Street and Sealey Street, access for residents will be provided from Pollen Street. Access to Richmond Street West will be maintained at all times.
SH25A Kōpū-Hikuai: A section of road near the summit has collapsed, and the road is impassable. Detour via SH26, SH2, SH25 via the Karangahake Gorge, or SH25 via Coromandel Town. Work to construct a bridge over the slip area is underway, and the bridge is expected to be open by March 2024. Additional works are taking place across SH25A while the road is closed. More information(external link).
SH26 Puriri: Work to repair the road pavement commences Monday 6 November at a site south of Kōpū, near Puriri. The work is expected to be completed within two weeks and will be undertaken using stop/go traffic management.
SH26 Murray Road: Asphalt resurfacing takes place from Sunday 5 November, taking one week to complete. Stop/go traffic management will be in place between 8pm and 5am each night. Minor delays are expected.

Central Waikato

SH1 Lichfield: The northbound slow lane near Puriri Road is closed until further notice, while investigations take place into repair options.
SH1 Ātiamuri: Temporary steel barriers have been installed nearby from Ātiamuri village to Ohakuri Road and a temporary speed restriction of 50km/h applies ahead of construction starting on safety barrier installation. More information(external link).
SH1 Tuahu: Road rehabilitation commences Monday 13 November and is expected to take 2 weeks to complete. During this time there are intermittent daytime road closures, alternating with stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits. When the road is closed light vehicles and buses can detour via Tirohanga Road, Forest Road and Oruanui Road. Heavy vehicles need to detour via SH30 and SH5. All vehicles can use SH32 as an alternative route south. More information(external link).
SH1 Maroa Road: Daytime stop/go traffic management is in place on weekdays along with a temporary speed restriction, while finishing works and final surfacing are completed by Christmas.
SH1 Wairakei: Road rehabilitation continues and is expected to be complete by mid-November. Stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits will be in place. Delays are to be expected.
SH5 Mamaku: Road rebuilding continues along a 560m section within the Mamaku Range. Stop/go traffic management will be in place between 6am and 6pm each day, Monday to Friday. Work is expected to be complete by late November.
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.
SH5 Iwitahi (Napier/Taupo Road): Road rehabilitation continues and is expected to be complete by mid-November. Stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits will be in place at all active worksites. Delays are to be expected.

West Waikato

SH1 Waikato Expressway - Ngāruawāhia section: Safety improvements and remedial works require the closure of a single lane in each direction with a 50km/h temporary speed limit, until completion. Major southbound surfacing works in November and December will require a block of night closures and detours for approximately 5 weeks. The closures will take place from Sunday to Thursday each week, running from 12 November to 14 December, 7pm to 5am each night. The detour is via SH1B Gordonton Road. Light traffic can turn off at Lake Road to re-join SH1 at the Northern Interchange. Heavy vehicles must use SH1B, including the local road detour at Telephone Road, and connect to SH1 again at Cambridge or via SH26 into Hillcrest. More information(external link).
SH1 Tamahere: Road resurfacing takes place at night from Sunday 19 November, for 4 nights. During this time there will be 2 nights of southbound closures with all traffic detoured via the off and on ramps, then 2 nights of northbound lane closures including the off and on ramps. During the northbound work detours will be in place for traffic wanting to use the Tamahere Interchange, please follow all signage and instructions from crew members.
SH1 Karāpiro (Keeley’s Reserve): The bulk of the work has wrapped up on the turnaround bay at Keeley’s Reserve in Karāpiro. The reserve has reopened to the public and the turnaround bay can be used. Due to a nation-wide shortage, the streetlighting system is yet to be installed and this will be completed just prior to Christmas or in early 2024. More information(external link).
SH3 Ōhaupō: The Waipā District Council led Ōhaupō Village pedestrian safety improvements are underway and are expected to take 6 months to complete. During this time lane shifts and stop/go traffic management will be in place, along with temporary speed limits.
SH30 Te Kūiti: Due to a slip, priority give-way is in place near Mangaokewa Road, motorists are advised to proceed with caution.
SH30 Benneydale: Road resealing is taking place in the Benneydale area for 2 weeks, under stop/go traffic management between 6am and 8pm each weekday. This work is weather dependent. Minor delays are expected when sealing is taking place.

North Waikato

SH1 Waikato Expressway – Rangiriri section: Remedial works requiring various interchange ramp closures continue until mid-November. SH1 traffic is being managed through the site with a temporary speed restriction of 50km/h. The final stage, commencing Sunday 5 November, will see the Te Kauwhata Interchange southbound off and on ramps closed, with drivers needing to use the Rangiriri ramps. More information(external link).
SH2 Mangatāwhiri: Stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place on Tuesday 7 November, between 9pm and 5am.

Taranaki

SH3 Uruti: Rock mesh slip protection work north of Mangamaio Road continues. Stop/go and stop/stop traffic management will be in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, along with a 30km/h temporary speed restriction until Christmas. Delays of up to 30 minutes are expected.
SH3 Te Ara Tutohu Waitara to Bell Block: Due to safety improvement works, there is stop/go traffic management with a 30km/h speed limit in place 24/7. Allow for delays of up to 15 minutes.

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 Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website.