The NZ Transport Agency advises motorists to allow extra time for when travelling around the Bay of Plenty as an annual bridge inspection programme gets underway and work on the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) continues.
Stop/ go traffic management and a temporary speed restriction will be in place while contractors inspect two state highway bridges next week and short delays are expected.
The inspections are carried out from a truck with a mobile platform to allow workers to access areas under the bridge. Vehicles will be directed around the inspection area with stop/go traffic management.
The Transport Agency says contractors will monitor traffic to ensure delays are as short as possible during the inspections however motorists are advised to allow an extra 10 minutes for their journey during this time. The work is weather dependent and may be postponed.
Speed restrictions and stop/go traffic management will be in place at other Bay of Plenty work sites this month. Sites where motorists can expect delays of more than five minutes next week are detailed below to allow people to plan ahead.
ROAD CLOSURE: SH2 Waioeka Gorge between Opotiki and Gisborne
SH2 at the Waioeka Gorge will be closed to all traffic on Wednesday May 12 for one hour from 1.30pm as contractors carry out rock fall prevention works.
One lane of the road will reopen at 2.30 and stop/ go traffic management will be in place for the remainder of the week. Queue lengths will be actively monitored and kept to a minimum during the works. Motorists are advised to allow an extra 10 mins for their journey during this time.
Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) State Highway 2 between Domain Road and Mangatawa
Monday 11th May through to Thursday 14th May (between 9.00am and 4.00pm)
A 50km/h speed restriction and lane changes will be in place at times next week, as work on the TEL continues. Motorists on SH2 between Te Puke and Tauranga are advised to drive with care.
SH29 between Tauranga and Kaimai summit, Soldiers Rd Passing Lane Pavement Rehabilitation
A 50km/h speed restriction is in place while contractors continue rehabilitating a stretch of SH29 west of Soldiers Road. The road layout has been changed and the Tauranga bound passing lane is closed to allow contractors to carry out the work.
Contractors will be working from 6am until 6pm each week day and motorists are advised to plan for delays of up to 15 minutes. The work started in March and is expected to be completed in June.
SH2 between Katikati and Waihi, Bridgman Lane
A speed restriction of 70km/h will be in place on a 400m stretch of SH2, as contractors repair a road slip near Bridgman Lane, near the Athenree Gorge. Motorists are advised to allow an extra five minutes when travelling on this route.
SH2 between Tauranga and Waihi, multiple work sites
Stop/go traffic management and speed restrictions will be in place at up to eleven different work sites on SH2 between Bethlehem and the Athenree Gorge at various times over the next four weeks.
Contractors are carrying out shoulder widening, installing new safety guard railing and felling trees close to the highway. Contractors will be working from 6am to 6pm and motorists travelling on this route should allow for delays of up to 10 minutes. The work started in April and is expected to be completed by early July.
The Transport Agency apologises for any inconvenience and thanks motorists for their patience.
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.
