UPDATE TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY: The below roundabout shift, which had been scheduled to take place overnight tonight, has been postponed until overnight Thursday (11 February) due to an unfavourable weather forecast. All other details remain the same. Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience.
Rotorua motorists are advised to expect significant changes to the State Highway 30/Tarawera Road roundabout next week.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says the temporary Tarawera roundabout will be shifted overnight on Tuesday 9 February 2021 as part of the ongoing work to upgrade the intersection.
Waka Kotahi is transforming the roundabout into a signalised intersection as part of the Eastern Corridor Stage One project.
Contractors will be on site on Tuesday night between 7pm and 5am to complete the shift. During this time additional traffic management will be in place, including some lane closures, as required.
The work is being completed overnight to minimise the disruption to traffic, however delays are expected.
Acting Portfolio Delivery Manager Jo Wilton says the new temporary roundabout will be significantly smaller than the current version and will be positioned closer to GJ Gardner.
“We’ve planned the shift carefully to ensure the way people use the roundabout won’t change. The 30km/h temporary speed limit will also remain in place.”
The new roundabout will be in place for approximately seven weeks and will allow contractors to work in the area outside the Good Eastern Taphouse.
Following feedback from the cycling community, it will also offer better off-road access for cyclists than the previous roundabout location. On-road cycle access will still be narrow due to the lane widths.
The shift was originally planned for January, however, after consultation with local businesses Waka Kotahi decided to delay until after Waitangi weekend, says Ms Wilton.
“We are working closely with nearby businesses, who told us they would prefer we start work after the long weekend when the majority of holiday makers have left.”
After Tuesday, motorists are advised to plan for additional delays as motorists adjust to the new layout.
This is the second of approximately four shifts of the temporary roundabout. The remaining shifts are planned for April and May. By mid-year the intersection will take its final form as a signalised intersection controlled by traffic lights.
The shift is weather dependant. In the event of poor weather, the work will take place on the next clear night.
For more information on the Eastern Corridor Stage One project visit nzta.govt.nz/eastern-corridor-stage1(external link)
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