Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises contractors will be undertaking essential maintenance activities across the eastern Bay of Plenty next week.
Bay of Plenty Transport System Manager Rob Campbell says these essential works allow Waka Kotahi’s contractors to ensure the road remains safe for all road users.
“Safely maintaining New Zealand’s state highway system is considered vital at this time in order to ensure that critical functions to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus can continue.”
State Highway 2 Ōpōnae, Waiōeka Gorge
Works to repair an unstable section of embankment at Ōpōnae, three kilometres east of Waiata Road in the Waiōeka Gorge, will get underway from Monday 6 April and are expected to be completed before the end of May.
The embankment was previously damaged during heavy rain and has since been reduced to one lane under priority Give Way.
Temporary traffic management will be in place for the duration of the work, including a 30km/h temporary speed limit. Stop/Go traffic management will be in place from 6am – 5pm and traffic lights in place overnight from 5pm – 6am, Monday to Friday. Some weekend work may be required.
Completing this work now will ensure this section of road is robust enough to remain open despite the high river levels that are normal in winter.
For more information, please see the Traffic bulletin(external link) issued earlier this week.
State Highway 5, between the State Highway 30 and State Highway 38 intersections
Work to renew rumble strips on SH5 between the SH30 and SH38 intersections will get underway tomorrow (Saturday 4 April) and is expected to take 10 days, weather dependent.
Work will take place on weekdays (excluding Easter) between 7am and 5pm. There will be a combination of Stop/Go with a temporary speed limit of 30km/h and lane changes with a temporary speed limit of 50km/h in place during the works.
Rumble strips are important long-term safety devices for the highway, as they are used to separate road lanes and help prevent vehicles accidentally leaving the road. They must be laid during dry, warm weather, as cold, wet weather affects adhesion and drying times.
Across the eastern Bay of Plenty
Critical routine maintenance, such as road surfacing repairs, drainage and vegetation works will continue. These are essential to the safe operation and resilience of the transport system.
The rumble strip renewal on SH5 will stop over the Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Easter weekend, while the SH2 Waiōeka Gorge works and critical maintenance activity will continue.
Mr Campbell asks people to be patient and respectful to roadworkers and look out for their safety and wellbeing.
“If you see contractors out on the roads during the shutdown period please remember that they are carrying out essential work to keep us all safe.
“If you are using the roads during this period remember to comply with any temporary speed reductions through roadworks to keep workers safe. They are doing vital work and we all owe them a debt of gratitude.
“Only head out for essential supplies or services, otherwise, please stay safe, and stay home.
“If you must drive to access essential supplies or services please take care, drive to the conditions and obey the speed limits.”
Mr Campbell also notes that while Waka Kotahi does its best to provide up-to-date information, given the current operating environment under the COVID-19 alert system Level 4 some road works may change at short notice, and people were encouraged to visit the Waka Kotahi’s Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz(external link)) for real time information about their journeys.
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