Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises road works at two sites along State Highway 36 between Tauranga and Ngongotahā will get underway next week and encourages people to allow more time for their journeys.
To minimise disruption, the contractors will try to ensure two lanes of traffic are open during peak hours (7.30am to 8.30am and 4pm to 5.30pm).
Motorists may want to consider State Highway 33 between Rotorua and Tauranga via Paengaroa as an alternative route.
SH36 Mangorewa Gorge
Between Monday 14 June and Friday 18 June, road maintenance and investigation work will take place through Mangorewa Gorge.
Due to site constraints, temporary road closures of up to 30 minutes will be implemented to keep the public and staff safe.
The closures will enable contractors to carry out invasive investigation where test pits will be excavated to determine the road layers beneath. These results will inform the future road structure and drainage plans.
At the same time, while the traffic management is in place, regular maintenance such as guard rail repairs, pavement repairs, litter control, vegetation control and culvert inspections, will be carried out.
Stop/Go traffic management will be in place, with a temporary speed limit of 30km/h.
SH36 Awahou Bridge works
From Monday 14 June, shoulder widening work and footpath construction on the eastern side of the Awahou Bridge will get underway. This work is expected to take three weeks, weather dependent.
Outside peak hours, the road may be down to one lane at times and will operate under Stop/Go traffic management, with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place.
In the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, works may be postponed.
Motorists are advised to visit the interactive Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website for the latest information on traffic, roadworks, road closures and detours to help plan their trip.
Journey Planner(external link)
Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience.
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