The NZ Transport Agency advises motorists heading away for the long weekend to drive with care and plan ahead to avoid delays.
Transport Agency contractors will stop work on sites around the Bay of Plenty and Waikato during Auckland Anniversary weekend and Waitangi weekend to help ease delays for motorists; however it’s important that people are patient and prepare for the possibilities of hold-ups due to the extra traffic on the region’s roads.
People can get the latest highway information by checking the Transport Agency’s Summer Journeys website http://www.nzta.govt.nz/summerjourneys/(external link), or sign up to www.onthemove.govt.nz(external link) for up-to-date information on what is happening on the route you plan to travel. You can also freephone 0800 4 HIGHWAYS for national and regional travel updates.
Between the long weekends road works around the Waikato and Bay of Plenty will continue and people should allow extra time when travelling. Sites that may cause delays are detailed below to help people plan their journey:
SH1 Boatie Reserve
People travelling on State Highway 1 just north of Huntly will be detoured on and off the highway via local roads for around 10 days in February, while contractors carry out roadworks.
The day works are planned for about 1.8km of SH1 north-bound alongside the Waikato River in the Huntly urban area, known as Boatie Reserve Crews will be on-site from noon on Tuesday 9 February until about 19 February.
Work with be 24/7 but noisy construction operations and the traffic detour will be carried out during the day between 5am and 9.30pm.
During the works, there will be no parking alongside the sealed shoulder of SH1 as the whole roadway is needed to get traffic through.
The detour is Fletcher Street-Hakanoa Street-Bell Crossing Street.
SH1, Atiamuri
More work will be done on a 300 metre-long stretch of road just south of Atiamuri this month, as tests are carried out to find a long-term solution for the site.
The road has been resealed twice since mid-December but the repairs have been only partly successful and ruts have appeared in the road.
Tests are being carried out to determine what the issue is, and a temporary 50km/h speed restriction has been put in place for motorists’ safety.
As an interim solution contractors will level the surface with asphalt concrete on Tuesday, 2 February.
People are urged to drive with care near the Thorpe Road intersection and adhere to the temporary 50km/h speed restriction.
SH3 Ohaupo Road, Hamilton
Work is under way on a shared path for cyclists and pedestrians alongside on SH3 in Hamilton.
The $2 million project will see a 3.5km shared path on SH3 Ohaupo Road from Lorne Street to Dixon Road, with an arm up Normandy Avenue to Bader Street.
Work has begun at the Dixon Road end. The majority of works will be done behind a shoulder and no delays are expected.
SH3 – south of Hamilton Airport turn-off
More than 1km of roadwork on SH3 just south of the Hamilton Airport turn-off is under way and motorists can expect minor delays for the next four weeks.
Speed restrictions are in place during the work, and while the nearby roundabout is built. Motorists on this route should add a few minutes to their journey times.
SH3/21 roundabout
Work continues on the roundabout being built at the intersection of SH3/21.
A temporary diversion road is now in place for all traffic going in and out of SH21. The project will be completed in May. For short periods there will be stop/go traffic management, so allow for minor delays.
Traffic management and speed restrictions are in place along some sections of SH1 as work continues on the Rangiriri and Huntly sections of the Waikato Expressway.
Stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h speed restriction will be in place near the Rangiriri village intersection overnight next Tuesday 2 February. (Weather permitting).
This is to allow contractors to relocate concrete barriers and carry out other works so they can start on the south-bound lanes at Rangiriri. Once this relocation is complete the 50km/h speed restriction will remain in place through this area. Please take care when travelling through the site and respect the speed restrictions.
Takitimu Toll Road (formerly Route K)
Motorists travelling southbound on Tauranga’s Takitimu Toll Road are advised to drive with extra care from next week as contractors start work on the foundations of a new road sign gantry.
Work starts on the concrete foundation on Tuesday February 3 (weather permitting) and will continue for two weeks. A speed restriction and lane closures will be in place at times during the work. The gantry will be erected in March.
Rotorua
Rotorua motorists are advised to allow extra time when travelling this week as contractors carry out roadworks and reseals on a number of state highway sites.
Stop/go traffic management, changes to the road layout and speed restrictions will be in place at sites on SH5 near Oturoa Road and Mokoia Road, SH36 near the Mangapouri Bridge, and SH30 near Collier Road and Upper Atiamuri.
Motorists are advised to allow and extra 10 to 15 minutes when travelling these routes.
SH2 between Tauranga and Waihi
Motorists travelling on SH2 between Tauranga and Waihi are urged to drive with extra care over the next four months as work gets underway on a major safety upgrade.
A section of highway between Wainui South Road and Sargent Drive will be repaired and widened, and a wire rope central median barrier installed to prevent head on crashes.
Work started this month and is expected to wrap up in early May.
People should only expect minor delays minor delays but are urged to stay alert behind the wheel as there will be significant changes including lane closures, speed restrictions and occasional stop/go traffic management.
Jetsprints event at Baypark Stadium, Tauranga
People not attending the Jetsprints event at Baypark Stadium tomorrow are advised to avoid the area before and after the event if possible to reduce congestion.
Roads around the stadium are expected to be busy before gates open at 2pm, and when it wraps at at 10pm tomorrow.
SH36 – Mangorewa Gorge
Motorist travelling between Tauranga and Rotorua on SH36 are advised to expect delays over the next month as contractors carry out rockfall prevention work in the Mangorewa Gorge. Speed restrictions and traffic lights will be in place at times from February 9. Please allow an extra 10 minutes for your journey.
Opotiki
Stop/go traffic management will be in place on SH35 west of Opotiki from 2-5 February to allow contractors to clear a slip in the area. Motorists are advised to drive with care. At the same time work will be uinderway on a section of SH2 just south of Opotiki, where contractors will be resealing and reparing a section of the highway.
Motorists traveling on these routes during the works are advised to allow an extra 10 minutes driving time.
The Transport Agency apologises for any inconvenience and thanks motorists for their patience during these upcoming road works.
