Due to bridge strengthening works on the State Highway 2 (SH2) Kaituna Bridge, south of Te Puke, the NZ Transport Agency is encouraging motorists to use alternate routes through State Highway 29 or State Highway 36. Major delays are expected as temporary stop/go traffic management is in place on the bridge.
Transport Agency Highways Manager, Brett Gliddon says the temporary traffic management has been in place since late yesterday and significant delays have been experienced for 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 areas 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 a single lane will be in place over the bridge. The manual traffic management will be in place during the day from 7am to 7pm. At night temporary traffic signals will be used to direct traffic through the single lane over the bridge. Drivers are asked to take caution, 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. This will be reviewed as the strengthening works progress.
For up-to-date state highway travel information visit our website, or AA's website 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
