A new $3.5million roundabout is set to improve safety and ease traffic congestion on a popular holiday route in the Hauraki district.
Work starts this month on a roundabout to replace a T-intersection where State Highway 25 (SH25) to Thames meets State Highway 2 (SH2), just north of Mangatarata.
NZ Transport Agency principal safety engineer Michelle Te Wharau said up to 24,000 vehicles a day pass the junction during peak holiday times and the new roundabout would improve safety and ease congestion at the site.
“The new roundabout will address the crash risk by creating a safer way to move traffic and also reduce the queues which currently build up on SH25 during holiday periods,” she said.
“There’s been a lot of local support for this project and we are glad to see it getting under way.”
Cambridge Construction has been awarded the contract and will start work on the project on August 11.The aim is to have the work finished ahead of the summer holiday season. A big priority will be managing Labour weekend traffic through the site in late October.
“We will be endeavouring to keep traffic moving at all times through the construction site but there will be some delays for travellers,’’ Mrs Te Wharau said.
“We encourage people to consider alternative routes, for example SH1 and SH29 for travel to and from Tauranga. Southbound traffic could use SH1 and SH1B, instead of SH2 and SH27.
Click here [PDF, 947 KB] to view a plan of the new roundabout.
“The Transport Agency thanks motorists for their patience during construction and apologises for any inconvenience.”
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.
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 more information please contact:
Natalie Dixon
Media Manager
Waikato and Bay of Plenty region
NZ Transport Agency
T: 07 928 7908
M: 021 928413
E: natalie.dixon@nzta.govt.nz
The NZ Transport Agency works to create transport solutions for all New Zealanders - from helping new drivers earn their licences, to leading safety campaigns to investing in public transport, state highways and local roads.
