The NZ Transport Agency is reminding motorists to expect delays if travelling on State Highway 2 (SH2), east of Te Puke as bridge strengthening works on the Kaituna Bridge continues this week and into next week.
Motorists are strongly encouraged to use alternate routes through State Highway 29 or State Highway 36. Major delays have been experienced and can be expected for motorists who plan to use this section of SH2 as temporary traffic management will continue.
Transport Agency Highways Manager, Brett Gliddon says the temporary traffic management will be in place for the rest of the week and into next as work continues on strengthening the bridge. He says significant delays can be expected by motorists.
“In an effort to minimise delays and to allow the strengthening works to continue we are encouraging motorists where possible, particularly heavy vehicles, to avoid using this section of SH2 and to use the alternate routes.”
“We have a lot of advance electronic warning signs at key detour decision points to encourage drivers to use these where possible to ease delays,” says Mr Gliddon.
The speed limit has been reduced to 30 km/h and two lanes are now open over the bridge during the day time from 7am to 7pm. At night temporary traffic signals will be used to direct traffic through a single lane over the bridge. Drivers are asked to take care, particularly at night when visibility is reduced.
This bridge strengthening work is being undertaken by the Transport Agency to enable this route to carry High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMVs).
Access for residents of Rangiuru Road will be available, but there will be no right turns out of this road during these works.
The Transport Agency says this temporary traffic management will be in place until further notice and apologies for the delays customers are experiencing. This will be reviewed as the strengthening works progress.
For up-to-date state highway travel information visit our website(external link), or AA's website(external link) or phone the Transport Agency's 0800 4 HIGHWAYS information line to get the latest updates or to report incidents or hazards on the state highways. Alternatively you can sign-up via www.onthemove.govt.nz(external link) to receive free email alerts designed to inform you before you start your journey about notable incidents, road conditions or roadwork’s on the state highway network.
For more information please contact:
Glenda Dobbyn
Media Manager
Waikato and Bay of Plenty region
T: 07 928 7908
M: 021 021 67217
E: glenda.dobbyn@nzta.govt.nz
