The NZ Transport Agency advises motorists to allow an extra 10 minutes when travelling on State Highway 2 (SH2) between Tauranga and Waihi this month as work continues on a $5 million safety improvements programme.
Guard rails are being put in to prevent run off road crashes, hazards such as trees removed to make it easier for people to see oncoming vehicles at intersections and wide centre lines, which reduce the risk of head on crashes, are being installed.
Stop/go traffic management, speed restrictions of 30km/h and lane closures will be in place on sites along the route during the work.
In total, improvements will be made at 25 sites, with up to seven sites live at any one time. Cumulative delays of approximately 10 minutes along the route are possible.
The safety improvements are part of the Transport Agency’s SH2 Safe System Northern Corridor project, which is focused on exploring ways to improve safety on the highway between Bethlehem and Waihi.
The project aims to reduce the number of crashes on the stretch of highway by creating a more forgiving road environment.
People can find out more about the SH2 Safe Systems Northern Corridor Project here(external link).
Traffic management will be in place at other road work sites around the region this week as work on the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL and ongoing maintenance continues.
Sites where delays of more than five minutes are possible are detailed below to help people plan ahead when travelling around the Bay of Plenty.
SH2 between Katikati and Waihi, Bridgman Lane
A speed restriction of 50km/h is in place on a stretch of the road near Bridgman Lane as contractors repair a road slip. Motorists are advised to allow an extra five minutes when travelling on this route.
SH2A Tauranga City/ Turret Road and Hairini causeway
Speed restrictions and traffic management will be in place until mid-June while contractors undertake kerb and channel works on a stretch of Turret Road this coming week.
Work hours are from 9am until 4am to reduce traffic delays at peak times and some of the work may be carried out at night. Stop / Go traffic management may be in place during certain periods of the work so motorists are advised to allow an extra five minutes when travelling on the route.
For personalised information about driving conditions on their frequently used routes, motorists can check out and sign up to On The Move at www.onthemove.govt.nz(external link).
For real time information on highway conditions and incidents visit www.nzta.govt.nz(external link) call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS or follow @nztawaibop on twitter.
