Drivers who normally use 15th Avenue/ State highway 2A are advised to use alternative roads or expect some delays as road repairs will be undertaken from this Saturday (22 June) over the next couple of weeks, says the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA).
The agency says resurfacing repairs are required along 15th Avenue from Cameron Road lights, towards Fraser Street intersection to ensure the road continues to be safe for driving.
NZTA’s state highways manager for the Bay of Plenty, Brett Gliddon says the repairs will be carried out in phases to minimise the impact of delays to traffic and noise to businesses and local residents.
“The works involve milling out, or stripping of the existing road surface and replacing it, this work needs to be done now to ensure it continues to be safe for driving on.”
Workers will be on site from early Saturday morning, with the first phase of the work being undertaken from the Cameron Road lights to just west of Devonport Road.
Mr Gliddon says two lanes will be open during the first part of the work, however a 30km/h temporary speed limit will be in place.
“The first part of the works will start this Saturday and will finish on Friday (28 June). The work will be undertaken between peak traffic times.”
During the second phase of the works, detours and a temporary speed limit will be in place around the Devonport Road traffic island.
“This work will start on the night of Sunday (30 June) and should be finished before the Monday morning peak”, says Mr Gliddon.
The final work from the Devonport Road traffic island towards Fraser Street, will have minimal impact as repairs are only required to a single east bound (towards Welcome Bay) lane.
He says the 15th Avenue road repairs should be fully completed by Wednesday (3 July), provided weather conditions have enabled the works to be undertaken without interruption. “The road will reopen and operate as normal from Wednesday 3 July at 6.00am. We will keep people informed if weather does delay the works.”
“We will be monitoring traffic movements and impacts to locals throughout the works, we do ask that people adhere to the posted speed limit and avoid the temptation to ‘rubber-neck’ as this causes delays.”
“There will be an uneven road surface, temporary ramps will be placed to minimise the impact of the different surface levels on vehicles”, he says.
“We want to thank businesses, residents and motorists for their patience while we undertake this important work and apologise in advance for any inconvenience.
Motorists wanting to find out more about these road works or the detour route should go to the NZTA’s website at www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions(external link); or free phone 0800 4HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49).
