Severe congestion is expected tomorrow, Monday 12 February, due to the sudden closure of a section of State Highway 29A near Oropi for emergency work, combined with a lane closure on Totara Street for Tauranga City Council road rebuilding work.
Both are major routes in and out of Mount Maunganui.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) suggests road users avoid travelling tomorrow, work from home or use alternative transport if they can.
The closure of State Highway 29A between Barkes Corner and Oropi Road Roundabout follows the discovery of a large tomo or cavity under the road on Friday evening.
NZTA contractors are doing all they can to fix the road, including working through the night tonight, but the timeframe for re-opening is still unknown.
NZTA has pulled planned chipsealing of State Highway 2 tonight and tomorrow night to ease traffic pressure coming into the city, and is diverting resources to State Highway 36 works.
Hewletts Road eastbound bus lane will be open for all vehicles (going toward Maunganui Road) to try and help the situation.
The work on Totara Street is expected to be complete by 6am Wednesday 14 February, with TCC contractors working around the clock to finish as quickly as possible.
While detours for both roads are available, heavy delays are inevitable and fewer vehicles on the network tomorrow will make a big difference to those who have to travel.
NZTA thanks road users for their co-operation and patience. Next update tomorrow afternoon.
