Motorists are advised to allow extra time when travelling around the Bay of Plenty next week, with back to school traffic and road works expected to cause minor delays.
The NZ Transport Agency says work on the Tauranga Eastern Link and a major safety improvement programme continues this month, with speed restriction and traffic management in place on several sites.
Sites where motorists can expect changes or delays of more than five minutes are detailed below to allow people to plan ahead when travelling.
SH2 Mangatawa Interchange (Tauranga Eastern Link)
The Mangatawa interchange on SH2 was opened to traffic on July 15, offering Papamoa and Mount Maunganui commuters another way of getting onto the highway via Sandhurst Drive.
The changes will initially cause delays and motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time when travelling on this route.
People travelling to Bethlehem (north) or Tauriko (west) are advised to consider using SH29, especially during the peak times when delays at the Te Maunga and Bayfair roundabouts are possible.
The Truman Lane connection will be open to traffic later this year.
Other road works planned as part of the TEL construction are detailed below:
Domain Road between The Gardens Drive and Tara Road – traffic diversion
Tuesday 21st July (between 9.00am and 4.00pm)
All southbound (Papamoa to Tauranga) traffic will be diverted via Doncaster Drive and Tara Road for road surfacing works.
All residents and businesses between The Gardens Drive and Tara Road will be able to access their premises via the Gardens Drive end of Domain Road.
State Highway 2 / Domain Road intersection – slip-lane closure
Tuesday 21st July (between 9.00am and 4.00pm)
The Tauranga-bound slip-lane will be closed to allow contractors to carry out drainage work. All traffic will be diverted via the SH2/Domain Road roundabout.
SH2 and SH29 Tauranga (Bayfair to Baypark project)
Lane closures and speed restrictions remain in place on sections of SH2 and SH29 in Tauranga while contractors continue to carry out geotechnical investigations as part of the Bayfair to Baypark project.
The majority of the work is being done outside of peak travel times, and at night to minimise delays to motorists.
SH2 Tauranga to Waihi - safety works
Stop/go traffic management, lane changes and speed restrictions will be in place along parts of SH2 between Tauranga and Waihi this month as a major safety improvement programme continues.
Contractors will be working on nine sites on the route and motorists are advised to allow an extra 10 minutes when travelling on this route. The work is expected to be complete by July 31.
For personalised information about driving conditions on frequently used routes, motorists can also check out and sign up to On The Move at www.onthemove.govt.nz.(external link)
For extra real time information on highway conditions and incidents on the network visit www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/(external link) , call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS or follow @nztawaibop on twitter.
