Motorists are advised to drive with care and allow extra time when travelling around the Bay of Plenty during the school holidays as work on the Tauranga Eastern Link (TEL) and a major road rehabilitation programme continues.
Speed restrictions and stop/go traffic management will be in place at various sites and delays are likely.
Sites where motorists can expect changes or delays of more than five minutes are detailed below to allow people to plan ahead when travelling.
Stop/ go traffic management and speed restrictions of 30km/h will be in place on a stretch of SH29 near Soldiers Road to allow contractors to rehabilitate a 1100m length of highway.
The work started in March and is being carried out in three stages. It is expected to be completed in late May.
Motorists are advised to allow for delays of up to 20 minutes or consider using an alternative route such as SH2 via Waihi.
Contractors will be carrying out work over the weekend to prepare to seal a 350m stretch of road on Monday April 20 (weather permitting). The work on Monday will require one lane to be closed from 9am until 4pm.
Work on the next two stages of rehabilitation along the length of the passing lane will follow that. Two lanes will be available to motorists during the final two stages of the road rehabilitation work and delays should be less.
State Highway 36 (Tauranga Direct Road) at the Mangapouri Gorge Bridge will be CLOSED to all traffic from 9pm on Sunday April 19 until 5am Monday.
People travelling between Rotorua and Tauranga during the closure are advised to use SH5 and SH29 over the Kaimai Range or Hamurana Road, SH33 and SH2 through Te Puke.
The alternative routes will add approximately 20 minutes to normal travel time. The work is weather dependent and will be postponed to May 3, if necessary.
Stop/go traffic management and a speed restriction of 30km/h will be in place on a 400m stretch of SH2, as contractors repair a road slip near Bridgman Lane, near the Athenree Gorge.
The work will continue for approximately four weeks between the hours of 6am and 7pm.
A 70kmh speed restriction will be in place outside of the stated work hours.
Motorists are advised to allow an extra 5 minutes when travelling on this route.
SH30 at the Sala Street/ Fenton Road roundabout will be closed to traffic on Saturday April 18 between the hours of 10am and 2pm due to the 100K Flyer Cycle Event.
Cyclists will be travelling on the state highway and local road network between Taupo and Rotorua from 8.30am that day until approximately 3pm and motorists are advised to drive with care and watch for cyclists.
Tara Road in Papamoa will be closed to traffic on April 18 between the hours of 6am and 7pm as work on the Tauranga Eastern Link continues. Access to nearby businesses will be available at all times.
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)
