Bay of Plenty and Waikato road users are reminded to plan ahead before travelling this ANZAC weekend so they can get to their destination safely and avoid delays.
Waka Kotahi Journey Manager Nigel D’Ath says with the ANZAC long weekend hot on the heels of Easter this year, Waka Kotahi is expecting that roads will be very busy as many holiday makers make the most of an extended break and take the chance to travel.
“Motorists experienced significant delays travelling north on Easter Monday at Ōhinewai on SH1. There is a northbound lane closure in place while roadside barriers and streetlights are re-positioned for ongoing safety improvement work. For people travelling to Auckland or further north, you may wish to consider using SH27 and SH2 as an alternate route.
“To avoid congestion again this weekend, we encourage motorists to use alternative routes or avoid travelling at peak times,” Mr D’Ath says.
Work at Ōhinewai is expected to be complete in early-May.
Around the Waikato, delays are also predicted this weekend on SH1 through Tīrau, on SH2 from Pokeno to Maramarua, and around both Kopu and Tairua on SH25.
Also note that State Highway 1B east of Hamilton (Puketaha) is closed at the southern end of Telephone Road, detour via Holland Road, Waverley Road and Seddon Road. More information.
In Katikati, State Highway 2 will be closed between Beach Road and Fairview Road on Monday 25 April, between 5.30am and 7.30am for the annual ANZAC Dawn Service.
A signposted detour at Fairview Road and Beach Road will be in place for northbound and southbound traffic. The detour is not suitable for High Productivity Motor Vehicles (HPMV); HPMV should utilise State Highway 29.
Detour route for north and southbound traffic on State Highway 2 / Main Road Katikati during ANZAC Dawn Service.
Around the Bay of Plenty, motorists should be prepared for heavy traffic on State Highway 2, between Paeroa and Waihi, Tauranga and Katikati and on SH29 over the Kaimai ranges.
In the Western Bay of Plenty, motorists should expect delays on SH2 between Waihi and Ōmokoroa. Work is suspended over the long weekend between Athenree Road and Tanners Point Road, Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection, Lund Road to Sargent Drive and Apata Station Road to Esdaile Road, but temporary speed limits are in place due to lane shifts, restricted lane widths and shoulder closures. Please follow guidance of temporary traffic management signs.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has a handy little holiday journey planner (Easter and Anzac weekends 2022 (nzta.govt.nz) travellers can use to avoid delays.
The journey planner shows predicted traffic conditions for popular routes in the Bay of Plenty & Waikato and all across the country during the holiday period, based on travel patterns from previous years.
“Congestion and delays are inevitable in peak times, however if everyone leaves plenty of time for their journey, drives to the conditions and plans ahead before leaving home, there will be less frustration, and everyone can concentrate on arriving safely at their destination,” Mr D’Ath says.
There are simple things we can all do to help keep everyone on the roads safe.
Nigel D’Ath advises motorists; “Check your vehicle is safe to drive. Check your tyres, wipers, lights and indicators, and ensure you have a valid Warrant of Fitness before you leave.
“Drive to the conditions - whether it’s the weather, the road you’re on, the time of day or the volume of traffic on the roads.
“Keep a safe following distance from vehicles in front so you can stop safely and take regular breaks to stay alert or share the driving.”
Because predicted peak times can change based on traffic incidents, weather, driver behaviour or changes in COVID-19 alert levels, motorists are encouraged to also visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website – journeys.nzta.govt.nz - before they travel for real-time travel information, live traffic camera feeds, and updates on delays, roadworks and road closures.
No matter whether you’re off on holiday or travelling to a dawn service over ANZAC Weekend, Waka Kotahi wants to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely.
