Even during the coldest weeks maintenance and some construction activities continue across the Waikato & Bay of Plenty region, ensuring the state highway network across the region remains safe and accessible, and major projects march on.
Maintenance crews are used to being out in all kinds of weather, says Roger Brady, Bay of Plenty System Manager, Maintenance and Operations.
“Whether it be sun, hail, snow or rain, our crews are out managing, monitoring and maintaining the network. While our renewal activities are reserved for the warmer, drier months, there are key activities over winter that keep the network safe.
“One of the responsibilities includes applying Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) to prevent ice forming on roads when temperatures are below freezing point, especially further away from the coastal areas and along winding stretches of highway.
“Completing drainage works ensures water flows away from the road surface, and in some areas monitoring for potential snowfall and clearing this when required.
“We are still repairing areas affected by recent weather, and contractors are continuing to reinstate full access to the network, especially in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Progress at the site on State Highway 35, just north of the Motu River Bridge, has been progressing at pace, and the team are looking to have the road open to two lanes of traffic by the end of the month.
“With significant rainfall predicted for next week we recommend drivers check the Journey Planner before heading out to ensure they have the latest up-to-date information on road conditions,” says Mr Brady.
Journey Planner(external link)
Bay of Plenty
Tauranga
- Takitimu North Link Stage One: A range of construction activities are taking place between Te Puna and Bethlehem. This includes stop/go traffic management in place at Wairoa Road, and a number of shoulder closures and temporary speed limits. More information
- SH2 Bay Link: There are a number of lane closures coming up to allow various construction and maintenance activities to take place. This includes beam installation on the final span of the Bayfair flyover this weekend, a single lane closure on SH2 between Bayfair roundabout and Exeter Street from 4am to 5pm on Sunday 14 August to allow for concrete barriers to be poured around a retaining wall of the southern ramp of the Bayfair flyover, followed by lane changes at the Bayfair roundabout to make the roundabout larger to create a new work zone in the middle of the intersection from Monday night. More information
- SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road: A section of the Kopurererua Valley cycleway is temporarily closed while services are relocated alongside SH29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road. While this work is underway there is a reduced speed limit of 80km/h in place. In addition, for one week starting Tuesday 16 August, three times a day between 9am and 3pm, there will be drilling work as part of the service relocation. While the drilling is in progress, there will be stop/go traffic management in place and a lower speed limit of 30km/h. This work is expected to be completed in September. More information
- SH29 Tauriko West: Investigation to provide the information needed for the next steps of the Tauriko West enabling works are underway and expected to take place through to mid-August 2022. Works are weather dependent and may need to be extended in case of long periods of bad weather. Works will mostly take place overnight between 7pm and 6am, with generally one active work site at any time. Traffic management will include lane closures. More information(external link)
- SH2 Tauranga East Link Toll Road: From Monday 15 August, traffic on the Tauranga East Link Toll Road, just north of the Kaituna River Bridge, will go to one lane in either direction. This will be in place for six weeks to allow the installation of a culvert and enabling earthworks to start in preparation for the construction of the Pāpāmoa East Interchange. Speed will be reduced to 70km/h through the work site. Under normal circumstances, we anticipate any delays to be less than one minute. More information(external link)
Western Bay of Plenty
- SH2 Waihī to Ōmokoroa: Safety improvement works continue at five active sites: between Athenree Road and Tanners Point Road, Tanners Point Road to Tuapiro Road, Rea Road / Tetley Road intersection, Morton Road intersection and Apata Station Road to Esdaile Road. Minor delays are expected. Retaining walls are being constructed between Apata Station Road and Esdaile Road from Tuesday 16 August. Stop/Go in place outside of morning and evening peak traffic from 9am-4pm for around three weeks. Light vehicles can take an alternative route via Wainui South and Esdaile Road. There are currently no right turns to Tetley Road and limited right turn options to Rea Road. Detours routes are available, please follow the signs and directions of the traffic management team. More information
- Te Puke Highway: Work to stabilise the Kaituna Riverbank, near Pah Road, was delayed due to recent rain. Work will continue for three days, between Monday 15 and Wednesday 17 August, to reopen the site. On Monday, stop/go traffic management will be in place between 8pm and 5am while the contractors remove temporary barriers and lay new line marking and rumble strips on to the road. On Tuesday and Wednesday there will be a shoulder closure while the berm is reinstated. This work is weather permitting.
Rotorua
- SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Multiple worksites are active between Iles Road and Puketāwhero Park to excavate the shared service trench for the relocation of underground services and installation of the new watermain. More information
- SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction: Intersection safety improvements are commencing soon. Early works include hydro-vac investigation work identifying underground services and clearing vegetation. While this work is underway there will be a reduced speed limit of 30km/h through the site, lane shifts and off-peak shoulder closures. Traffic will be maintained in both directions however the works may cause minor traffic delays. More information
- SH33 Te Ngae Junction to Paengaroa: Safety improvement upgrade work continues near Pareteiro - Sun Valley Curves passing lane. During the day and when the crew are on site, either two lanes will be open or stop/go will be in place – depending on the works. A temporary speed limit of 30km/h applies. Outside of work hours and when the site is unattended, the worksite will have a shoulder closure and a temporary speed limit of 50km/h. More information(external link)
Eastern Bay of Plenty
- SH35 Motu River: 24/7 single lane access has been reinstated, with traffic signal control in place, along with a 30km/h temporary speed limit. Works will continue until the end of August. More information
Tairāwhiti Gisborne/Hawkes Bay
- SH35 Kopuaroa: The site remains under stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit of 30km/h at all times. A long-term solution for the site is currently being designed, and construction is planned to start in early spring. More information
- SH2 Matawai (east of Waioeka Gorge): A single lane is open under stop/go traffic management while contractors work to clear a large slip. Works to reinstate the road to full width are expected to continue until late-September. More information
- SH5 Te Haroto (between Taupō and Napier): Due to a dropout, the road is down to one lane with a 50km/h speed restriction and temporary traffic lights in place. Work to re-instate the road to two lanes is expected to be complete in October.
Waikato
East Waikato
- SH25 Coromandel to Waihi: Multiple sites are under stop/go traffic management to allow slips and blocked drains to be cleared.
Central Waikato
- SH1 Ātiamuri: Safety improvements on a 4.5km stretch of SH1 between Maroa Road and Tram Road, south of Ātiamuri, are continuing. A 50km/h temporary speed limit is in place through the site at all times and stop/go traffic management with a 30km/h temporary speed limit may also be used at times between 9am and 3pm Monday to Friday. More information
West Waikato
- SH1B Puketaha: SH1B east of Hamilton is closed at the southern end of Telephone Road while options for its long-term future are investigated. Detour via Holland Road, Waverley Road and Seddon Road. More information
- SH1 Maungatautari: Tree felling and essential maintenance activities are continuing on Monday 15 August, with the road closed between 9am and 4pm each day. Local detour is via Karapiro Road, Taotaoroa Road and SH29; those travelling regionally are advised to consider alternative routes. Heavy vehicles will be allowed through at 11am and 1pm.
- SH1 Tamahere: SH1 at Tamahere is reduced to one lane in each direction as safety improvements are made to bring the road up to 110km/h design and safety standards. People are asked to take care when driving through the site and follow the posted speed limit of 70km/h. More information
- SH30 Kōpaki: A localised drop out between Kōpaki Road and Ohirea Road means temporary traffic lights are in place to control traffic, along with a temporary speed restriction of 30 km/h. Repairs are complete at a slump near Kōpaki Bridge, however this site remains under stop/go traffic management, along with a temporary speed restriction of 30km/h. Truck drivers are reminded that the existing Kōpaki rail overbridge has a maximum weight limit of 6 tonnes. If compliance with the load restriction doesn’t greatly improve, the potential risk to both road and rail users will force us to close the road to all traffic. The detour route between Maniaiti/Benneydale and Te Kuiti is via Kōpaki Road and State Highway 4.
- SH4 Taumarunui: Following storm damage, a section of road north of Taumarunui is under stop/go traffic management, controlled by traffic signals. Enabling works have commenced, and plans for the long term repair of this road are currently being designed.
North Waikato
- SH1 Hampton Downs: SH1 at Hampton Downs is reduced to one lane in each direction as safety improvements are made to the road, bringing it up to 110km/h design and safety standards. People are asked to take care when driving through the site by following the posted speed limit of 70km/h. More information
- SH2 Maramarua: Surfacing work will take place between Monument Road and Steen Road on Sunday 14 August and Monday 15 August. Line marking will take place on Tuesday 16 August. Work will take place between the hours of 9pm and 5am each night. Stop/go traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place.
Taranaki
- SH3 Piopio: A slip has the road down to one lane, which is being controlled by traffic lights. Delays of 5-10 minutes are expected. More information
- SH3 Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass: Stop/go controls are operating daily, with delays of up to 15 minutes expected. The lane closure allows for Bypass enabling works. More information
- SH3 Awakino: A slip has the road down to one lane under stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h temporary speed limit. There are various other slips in the gorge that are currently not affecting traffic, however drivers are asked to drive with caution, and expect delays at the single lane section.
- SH3 Waitara: Due to wastewater maintenance, northbound light vehicle traffic is being detoured via Waitara. Heavy vehicles and all southbound vehicles continue to use SH3 under stop/go traffic management and a 30km/h speed limit. Delays of between 5-10 minutes can be expected.
Some of the above works are weather dependent and may be postponed in the case of poor weather. For up-to-date information on road works, traffic, detours and delays, motorists are encouraged to visit the Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website.
Journey Planner(external link)
Waka Kotahi thanks motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work to keep the state highways safe and resilient.
