Waikato and Bay of Plenty state highway works for November 2023 

A week of warm, largely settled, weather has allowed road workers across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region to make good progress across a number of sites.

With over 750 lane kilometres of road renewals planned this summer alongside a variety of infrastructure projects, every day counts in the quest to complete such a large programme of work.

Due to the long to-do list, contractors have spent a lot of time planning out the best way to undertake work across the region, to maximise productivity while minimising disruption. This means a change in approach compared to previous years, explains Liam Ryan, Waikato Journey Manager, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency. 

“We’ve got some tight spots on the network where we can’t have machinery working alongside moving vehicles, as it will be unsafe. We’ve got other areas where there are multiple worksites close together. In these instances, we may have to, or will choose to, close the road to generate the right outcome for all parties. 

“Closing the road has safety and quality benefits for crews, and provides surety to road users around how long it will take to get to their destination via a detour route. Unfortunately, due to the time of year we often have roadworks sites on alternative routes, and road users need to plan for this. 

“This can make things tricky, especially as we ramp up the number of worksites active across the network. This coming week sees closures in several locations on the network, including SH1 between Ātiamuri and Wairakei, SH30 at Lake Rotomā and SH2 near Edgecumbe. 

“This means people need to plan ahead, the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner (journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)) 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.” 

Those travelling long distances are encouraged to pack food and drink in case travel takes longer than expected, and to take regular breaks during their journey. 

Bay of Plenty

Tauranga 

• Takitimu North Link Stage One: Earthworks are underway 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 operational to support the summer earthworks season. The single-lane haul road is 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). 
• 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 this week. A 3-month closure of a section of Moffat Road near Tauranga Adventist School starts 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 Waihī Road with guardrail, as part of the Beaumaris Boulevard flood mitigation works. Work starts 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 3 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 Waihī Road.
• SH2 Maunganui Road: Construction continues on two pedestrian maze crossings at the rail crossing. 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). 
• SH29A between Welcome Bay and Baypark: SH29A will be fully closed between the Maungatapu roundabout and the Baypark roundabout, from Sunday 19 to Friday 24 November, between 7pm and 5am each night. Light vehicles will be detoured via SH2, local roads and the Hairini bridge. Heavy vehicles will detour via SH2, SH29 and SH29A. Waka Kotahi is waiving the toll for heavy vehicles on the SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road between 7pm and 5am each night between Monday 19 November and Friday 24 November. Baypark and Truman Lane access will be available from the Sandhurst interchange only. 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 starts 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).
• Western Tie-in (near Loop Road): Construction continues at the western tie-in of the Takitimu North Link 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.   
• 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. 
• SH33 Paengaroa: Road rebuilding starts 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.  

Rotorua 

• 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 closures will be in place 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). 

Eastern Bay of Plenty 

• SH2 Edgecumbe: Road rehabilitation continues near the Omeheu Canal. A full road closure is in place until late 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 Okere Falls: Road rebuilding continues at an 800m section of road north of Okere Falls. Stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place until late December, 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. Between 5pm and 7am the road will be open as usual. 
• SH2 Waimana Gorge: Road rebuilding continues. 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 Waioeka Gorge: Road resealing is taking place, with stop/go traffic management between 7am and 7pm each weekday. This work is weather dependent. Minor delays are expected when sealing is taking place. 
• SH2 Manganuku Bridge, Waioeka Gorge: A reduced speed limit of 30km/h for heavy vehicles will remain in place until further notice. Heavy vehicles must stick to the speed limit as those travelling at higher speeds will exert greater loads on the structure, which currently poses a significant risk. 
• SH5 Waimangu: Temporary traffic lights are in place at a slip site south of Tumunui. Drive with care and expect minor delays. 
• SH5 and SH30 (south of Rotorua): Road resealing is taking place from Monday 13 November, with stop/go traffic management between 7am and 7pm each weekday. This work is weather dependent. Minor delays are expected when sealing is taking place. 

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 Christmas. 

Manawatū-Whanganui

• SH1 Taihape north: Road rebuilding 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. More information(external link). 
• SH25 Thames: Road resurfacing starts on Sunday 12 November on SH25, outside of the Goldfields shopping centre and at a second site near the intersection with Grey Street. The work will only take place at night through to completion on the morning of Friday 17 November. 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. 
• 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 Morrinsville: Work to repair the road between the Thames Street intersection and the Allen Street intersection will commence from Sunday 3^rd December until 6:00am on Friday 8^th The repair work will require a full closure of the road day and night. Detours are available. Access arrangements for residents and businesses will be maintained, as will access for Emergency Services.  
• SH26 Puriri: Work to repair the road pavement continues 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. 

Central Waikato 

• 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 early December. 
• 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 starts Monday 13 November and is expected to take 3 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. 
• SH5 Wairakei: Road rehabilitation starts on Monday 20 November and is expected to be complete by mid-December. Stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limits will be in place. Delays are to be expected. 
• SH1 Waitahanui: Asphalt resurfacing takes place from Monday 13 November, taking one week to complete. Stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place between 6am and 6pm each day. 
• SH1 Hatepe: Road rebuilding re-starts late November north of Hatepe. Stop/go traffic management will be in place between 6am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday. Work is expected to be complete by mid-December. 
• 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 early December. 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 need a block of night closures and detours for approximately 5 weeks. The closures will take place from Sunday to Thursday each week, running from Wednesday 15 November to Thursday 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 12November, 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. 
• SH3 Waitomo: Road rebuilding starts Monday 13 November at a site near the Big Apple, north of the SH37 Waitomo Caves roundabout (SH37). Stop/go traffic management will be in place between 6am and 8pm for the next two weeks, following which it will switch to 24-hour stop/go. A temporary speed limit will be in place, work is expected to be complete by mid-December. 
• SH39 Pirongia – Ōtorohanga: Road resealing is taking place between Pirongia and Ōtorohanga, with stop/go traffic management between 6am and 8pm each weekday. This work is weather dependent. Minor delays are expected when sealing is taking place. 
• 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, with 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 late November. SH1 traffic is being managed through the site with a temporary speed restriction of 50km/h. Current work in the southbound lanes means both the Te Kauwhata and Rangiriri southbound off-ramps are closed until the end of next week. The detour is via the Ohinewai Interchange and return north to Rangiriri/Te Kauwhata. 
• SH2 Mangatāwhiri: Vegetation control takes place between Sunday 12 and Tuesday 14 November. On Sunday 12 November the SH1 southbound link to SH2 eastbound will be closed, follow SH1 south to the Mercer off-ramp, to then turn around and head northbound to use the northbound SH1 link to SH2 eastbound. Stop/go traffic management and temporary speed limit will be in place on other nights. 
• SH2 Maramarua: Chipsealing takes place from Sunday 19 November until early December. Stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place between 9pm and 5am at each worksite. More information(external link). 

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 (journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)). 

Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work to keep the state highway network safe, accessible and resilient.