Start your summer journey online to avoid delays in Waikato and the Bay of Plenty

The NZ Transport Agency is advising Bay of Plenty and Waikato motorists to start their journey online and plan ahead to avoid delays as road works season ramps up.

Transport Agency work crews will be out in force over the next five months, making the most of the warmer, dryer weather over summer to make highways safer, and progress major projects.

Drivers are likely to encounter speed restrictions and other traffic management at roadwork sites over the next few months, and should get in the habit of allowing extra time for their journeys. 

People can get information on road works and detours in the region they are in, or travelling to by going online and checking www.nzta.govt.nz/summerjourneys(external link) , by calling 0800 444 449 or following the Transport Agency  on Facebook or Twitter.

Journey manager Nigel D’Ath says checking out the Transport Agency’s website before packing up the car can help people choose the best routes and times to travel.

“Picking up your mouse or your smartphone before you pick up your keys and planning your journey could save you a lot stress and unnecessary time on the road,” Mr D’Ath says.

Road work sites which may cause delays over the next week are also detailed below to help people plan ahead:

Waikato

SH39: State Highway 39 traffic will be diverted during day-long road works in the Te Kowhai area on Sunday December 13.

The works near the Koura Drive roundabout include pavement repairs to remove joints and road resurfacing.

Crews will be on-site from 5am until 7pm on Sunday. The work is weather dependent and will be postponed until Sunday December 20 if necessary.

While access to properties will be maintained at all times – people need to speak with traffic crews on site – all through traffic will be diverted on to Onion Road and Horotiu Road.

The full detour is likely to add up to 14 minutes to journey times and the Transport Agency recommends people consider an alternative route if heading to the The Base from SH39.

SH1 Cambridge
Speed restrictions and other traffic management will be in place on SH1 near the Cambridge velodrome during an international cycling event this week.

The UCI Track Cycling World Cup will be held from Friday to Sunday, 4-6 December, with 400 riders from 40 countries completing.

Motorists are advised to expect delays on:

Friday:  from noon to 1.30pm and 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Saturday: from 7.30am to 9am, 3.30pm to 6pm, 10.30pm to 11.30pm.

Sunday: from 7.30am to 9am, 3.30pm to 6pm, 8.30pm to 9.30pm

Waikato Expressway

• Traffic management and speed restrictions are in place along some sections of State Highway 1 and State Highway 1B as work on the Rangiriri, Huntly and Cambridge sections of the Waikato Expressway continues.

• Speed is restricted to 70km/h along State Highway 1, through Rangiriri.

• A 70km/h speed restriction is ongoing on State Highway 1 – north and sound-bound between Fisher Road and the Ohinewai interchange as part of works on the Huntly section. The restriction is to allow the contractor to widen the road and shift traffic on to a new alignment to allow for the start of construction on the Ohinewai interchange bridge.

• Motorists can also still expect some delays on SH1 at Golf Hill around the Southern interchange in Cambridge and on SH1B around the Victoria Road interchange as work continues on the Cambridge section.

SH1 Five Mile Bay

Road-widening works continue on SH1 at Five Mile Bay, just south of Taupo, until January. Traffic management is in place and motorists should allow for delays of up to five minutes.

The Transport Agency apologises for any inconvenience and thanks motorists for their patience during the works.

BAY OF PLENTY

SH2 Opotiki to Gisborne – Waioeka Gorge

People travelling between Opotiki and Gisborne next week are advised to allow an extra 15 minutes travel time as contractors carry out road repairs in the Waioeka Gorge.

Stop/go traffic management  and speed restrictions will be in place at multiple sites and motorists are advised to drive with care to help protect the new seal.

SH36 between Tauranga and Rotorua  - fibre optic cabling: Speed restrictions and shoulder closures will be in place between Tauranga and Rotorua over the next week as contractors continue installing fibre optic cables.  Motorists should allow an extra five minutes when travelling through the area.

SH2 Tauranga north and SH29

Stop/go traffic management and 30km/h speed restrictions will be in place to allow contractors to reseal sections of SH2 north of Tauranga, and SH29 on the Tauranga side of the Kaimai Range.

Motorists are advised to allow an extra 10 minutes travel time. The work is weather dependent and may be postponed if necessary.

SH2 Paengaroa roundabout:  One lane of the roundabout will be closed from Wednesday December 9 until Friday December 11 for vegetation works.

Traffic management will be in place and motorists are advised to expect minor delays.

The Transport Agency apologises for any inconvenience and thanks motorists for their patience during the works.