Significant repair work continues on a number of roads across the Waikato & Bay of Plenty region, as well as further afield, following recent extreme weather.
Some roads have needed to be fully closed, and while this has been disruptive, it’s ensured the safety of road users and crews and the work is able to progress faster, says Cara Lauder, Waikato System Manager, Maintenance and Operations.
“Our network teams and contractors have worked together to minimise the overall impact on drivers, especially on State Highway 2 through the Waioeka Gorge, where a road closure was used to undertake repairs, proactive site management and routine maintenance at the same time.
“Elsewhere we continue to manage and clean up a number of roads across the eastern side of the region, as well as isolated locations further inland. This work will be ongoing for some time, and with winter conditions continuing we are ready to respond to further weather events as required.
“We are also looking forwards to September, when crews commence work to improve underlying road conditions ahead of our summer chipseal programme. Road users will start to see the teams out on the network.
“We recommend drivers check the Journey Planner before heading out to ensure they have the latest up-to-date information on road conditions,” says Ms Lauder.
Journey Planner(external link)
Sluicing the slip at Waioeka Gorge will allow loose material to be removed in a controlled manner, preventing the likelihood of further slips in the future.
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 throughout the week to allow various construction activities and maintenance activities to take place, including beam installation on the final span of the Bayfair flyover. 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 works to provide the information needed for the next steps of the Tauriko West enabling works are underway and expected to continue 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 Eastern Link Toll Road: On Monday 8 August, a 150m section of shoulder on the westbound lane of the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road, just past the Kaituna River Bridge, will be closed. This is to allow tree removal in that section. Speed will not be reduced, and people are asked to take care when driving past the site. We do not expect this to cause delays to traffic.
- SH2 Pāpāmoa East Interchange: Earthworks have commenced, with the first stage of construction is expected to be complete by April 2023. More information (external link)
- Te Puke Highway: Work to stabilise the Kaituna Riverbank, near Pah Road, is complete and the contractor is preparing to reopen the site. On Tuesday 9 August stop/go traffic management will be in place while the contractors remove temporary barriers and lay new line marking on the road. On Wednesday 10 and Thursday 12 August there will be a shoulder closure while the berm is reinstated. This work is weather permitting.
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.
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
Rotorua
- SH30 Eastern Corridor Stage Two: Multiple worksites are active between Iles and Basley Roads. This week includes a temporary road closure on Tennyson Drive from 7am Monday 8 August to 6pm Tuesday 9 August, to allow services to be placed underground. More information
- SH30/SH33 Te Ngae Junction: Intersection safety improvements are commencing early August. 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. We appreciate this work may cause some delays during peak travel times and thank people for their patience. More information
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 in the design phase, 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 Coroglen: Strengthening work on the Waiwawa River Bridge (SH25) in Coroglen continues and is expected to be complete late-August. More information
- SH25 Coromandel to Waihi: Multiple sites are under stop/go traffic management to allow slips and blocked drains to be cleared.
- SH29 Kaimai Summit: Work to repair a broken culvert continues this week. This section of SH29 is reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction, with a 30km/h temporary speed limit in place. Work is expected to be completed mid-August.
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. 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 taking place from Monday 8 August to Friday 12 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 each day. More information
- 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 by following the posted speed limit of 70km/h. We appreciate this work may cause some delays during peak travel times and thank people for their patience. 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. We appreciate this work may cause some delays during peak travel times and thank people for their patience. More information
- SH2 Maramarua: Surfacing work will take place between Monument Road and Steen Road on Sunday 14 August and Monday 15 August, 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. These measures enable a lane closure to allow 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.
