Road users should be extra cautious and obey all road signs while the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, Rotorua Half Marathon and annual Santa Parades take place across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty from this weekend.
This Saturday around 7,000 cyclists will be making their way around Lake Taupo. Stop/go signs will be used and there will be reduced speed limits in the area. Motorists should expect delays and be aware that they may not be able to pass long lines of cyclists safely.
The Rotorua Half Marathon will also be taking place from 7.30am Sunday 27th November.
NZ Transport Agency Journey Manager Nigel D’Ath says there could be up to five minute delays in some spots in the city.
“We’re expecting there to be a bit of congestion around State Highway 30a Amahou Street and the Fenton Street intersection.
“Athletes will be crossing on State Highway 30 at Te Puia and on Sala Street so motorists and other road users should take extra care there,” Mr D’Ath says.
The annual Santa Parades also get underway. Next weekend on Saturday December 3rd the parades will take place in Te Puke between 11am and 2pm and Katikati from 3pm to 4pm. Both of these parades will involve local detours.
Motorists can get real time information from:
For Waikato/Bay of Plenty updates
For current travel times use: www.drivelive.nz(external link)
For personalised information about driving conditions on their frequently used routes, motorists can check out and sign up to On the Move.
Work or events that are scheduled to start this week or are currently underway are detailed below to help people plan ahead when travelling. Works and events are weather dependent and may be postponed if necessary.
Pavement and safety related work is to be carried out at the intersection of State Highway 25 and Pepe Road. The work will take place from 7pm Monday 28th November until 7am Tuesday 29th November. The NZ Transport Agency says residents may hear some noise and feel vibrations while the essential upgrade is carried out.
Contractors will repairing the uneven surface at the railway crossing on SH1-Kahikatea Drive in Hamilton on Sunday night. The asphalt will be dug out and replaced, with work between 7pm Sunday and 5am Monday. Traffic will be managed through single lane, under stop/go, 30km/h. Road users can expect a brief delay. Some patching work west of the crossing will be done at the same time.
A signalised pedestrian crossing on SH3-Ohaupo Road in Hamilton, adjacent to the Glenview shopping centre, is now working. The crossing is staggered so users cross one lane at a time, with a refuge in the middle. With changes to the road layout drivers are asked to take care and be prepared to stop. And pedestrians using the new signalised crossing are urged to check vehicles have stopped before stepping out – even when pedestrians have the green light.
North Waikato night-time travellers can expect short delays while roadworks continue at Grahams Bridge on SH2 east of the SH1 intersection. Hours of work are 7pm-6am Sunday to Thursday nights and traffic will be managed through the site under single lane with stop/go. The job is expected to be completed by the middle of next week. Drivers heading to and from the Bay of Plenty may want to take SH1-SH29 over the Kaimai road.
The road is being widened and flexible safety barriers are being installed between Te Teko and Awakeri to improve safety. Stop/go signs may be used but delays should not exceed five minutes.
Rock scaling and vegetation management is being carried out until early December. Stop/go signs will be used and there will be intermittent closures of approximately 10 minutes at a time to allow rock and vegetation to be brought down safely. Road users are advised to expect delays and allow an extra 15 minutes for their journey.
The annual reseal program is under way. There will be stop/go in place at various sites across the Bay of Plenty with minor delays. This work is weather dependant. Please be aware of large machinery and workers at these sites. Keeping to the temporary speed limits, which are usually around 30 kilometres per hours, is important for safety and to ensure the stone chips bed-in well instead of flicking up on other vehicles. The NZ Transport Agency says road users allow extra time and look out for sealing crews.
Major intersection improvements are being carried out at Te Ngae Road. Road users may see a different road lay-out, Stop/Go signs being used and shoulder closures. During peak periods delays may be up to ten minutes long. Use local roads as a detour whenever possible.
Rehabilitation work is being carried out between Poplar Lane and Kopuroa Canal Bridge (Longswamp). There is a 30kph temporary speed limit in place with lane shifts and metal surface. Extra care is required when traveling through this site.
Rehabilitation and drainage work is being carried out in the gorge section. Please drive with care through these works and observe the temporary speed limits.
SH2 Sargent Drive to Wainui Stream bridge, road widening with speed restrictions in place and minor delays expected
SH36 Keenan Road intersection, turn lane construction. Take care through this site.
SH29A Welcome Bay Roundabout. The existing right turn bay from SH29A is being extended to better cope with the afternoon traffic queues.
SH2 Te Puna Rd intersection, major earthworks starting Monday 21st with traffic lanes shift. Contra flow traffic management will be in place and extra care will be required and stay within the narrowed lanes. Drivers can expect significant delays of over 15 minutes during the busier times and should watch their following distances carefully.
Hairini underpass, work is continuing.
SH29/29A/36/Taurikura intersections. New road layouts are in place, please take extra care at these roundabouts and choose your lane carefully.
